MUNITH, Mich. (WXYZ) — In an affidavit, Michigan State Police laid out how they say the people plotting an attack on the governor and police trained here in Michigan.
Two men who live in rural Jackson county are now facing numerous charges including making terrorist threats and providing material support to terrorists, for turning their home into a tactical training site.
The rural property is along Dunn Road in Munith. It is a rural community in northeast Jackson County.
Michigan State Police say the Wolverine Watchmen practiced tactical training exercises there, preparing for an alleged plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. They are also accused of planning to target police to incite a civil war.
You can see tires stacked by the home, a Confederate flag, and debris. There are numerous signs with messages such as, “No trespassing” and “Warning: Due to the Price Increase of Ammo Do Not Expect a Warning Shot.”
“To hear they had a training center right down the road, that’s crazy,” said John Simson, who camps every weekend at a campground within view of the property.
Michigan State Police in an affidavit said that the two men who lived there, Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico, are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen.
The affidavit calls the group “ an anti-government, anti-law enforcement, militia group.“
It says they provided “material support for planned acts of terrorism” through training there.
People who live and camp nearby say they often heard gunshots, but it did not concern them.
“I knew it wasn’t deer hunting, because who is using an automatic weapon to shoot deer, but we are in the country, so I figured someone had a shooting range,” said Simson.
“I believe in the right to bear arms, but I don’t believe in kidnapping and murder and all that,” said Tracey McKenzie.
McKenzie says she assumed it was target practice for sport. She was shocked when she heard the police allegations.
“If they don’t like the governor, they should vote. Protest,” said McKenzie.
Michigan State Police responded to a call to the house as 7 Action News spoke to neighbors. Police then told us the people there wanted police to tell us that they had no comment.
