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Prosecutors had asked the federal judge to sentence Garbin to about nine years, praising him for his cooperation.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of Mr. Garbin’s cooperation here,” a federal prosecutor told the court. “He didn’t hold back. He would come out right away and say, ‘We were planning to do it and I was a part of it. “”
Garbin’s lawyers have asked the judge for a sentence of no more than six years, citing his cooperation which they say put him in danger.
Authorities had transferred Garbin to another prison pending his conviction in an effort to protect him from reprisals from his co-conspirators, court documents show.
Garbin spoke briefly in court on Wednesday to apologize to Whitmer and his family.
“Your Honor, I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her family. I have had plenty of time to reflect on my actions. And I never realized what my actions were like. would have caused him, but also his family, “he said. “I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of stress and fear his family members felt because of my actions. And for that, I’m so sorry.”
Garbin said he would work with an advocacy group to continue to de-radicalize and help others not to radicalize.
Ruling at the hearing, District Chief Justice Robert Jonker said he believed Garbin was genuinely on the road to rehabilitation.
“He’s changed his behavior, for sure. I think he’s changed his heart and mind too. And I think he’s a great prospect to take law-abiding paths once he gets down. will have finished paying for these very serious mistakes, ”said the judge.
Jonker read excerpts from a victim impact statement the governor submitted prior to sentencing.
“There is room for grace and rehabilitation for those who recognize the danger that has been unleashed and help unearth the hatred that has taken root in our society. This will help restore the ideals and aspirations that made our nation is a beacon of possibilities and opportunity to the rest of the world, ”Whitmer wrote.
She did not ask for financial restitution.
The indictment alleged that between June 6 and October 7, 2020, the men conspired to “illegally seize, kidnap, abduct and take away, and hold for ransom and reward” Whitmer. Authorities said the men planned to kidnap the governor from a vacation home and blow up a bridge to delay law enforcement, but were arrested first.
In addition to those indicted in federal court, several other people have been indicted in the case by the state.
The FBI learned of the alleged scheme in early 2020 through a social media group, according to the federal criminal complaint, The Detroit News reported.
CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.
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