The affidavit gave federal agents permission to search a Facebook account belonging to Barry Croft, 44, of Bear, Delaware, who was one of six men charged in federal court with conspiracy to kidnap. Evidence collected by FBI agents portrays his Facebook account as a virtual bulletin board filled with violent imagery, including a noose and a list of grievances in which he mulled killing Democrats and Republicans including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Muslims and liberals.

"I say we hang everything currently governing us, they're all guilty!!!," Croft wrote in May on his Facebook page, which also included an image of Trump. "Wanna hang this mf'er too…"

The affidavit helps trace the roots of an investigation that drew national attention earlier this month when FBI agents said they thwarted a plot to violently overthrow the government as well as kidnap and harm Whitmer. The conspiracy included surveillance visits to the governor's home in northern Michigan and training with firearms and explosive devices

The FBI started investigating in March after an unidentified police department learned about members of the militia group who were trying to obtain the home addresses of local police officers, according to court filings.

“At the time, the FBI interviewed a member of the militia group who was concerned about the group’s plans to target and kill police officers, and that person agreed to become a (confidential human source),” FBI Special Agent Kristopher Long wrote.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state Oct. 8, 2020, after the revelation of an alleged plot to kidnap her. Photo was provided by Whitmer's office.

Defense lawyers have portrayed their clients as tough talkers who were exercising their First Amendment rights who never carried out any kidnapping plot.

In all, 14 people have been charged with crimes in state and federal courts, including members and associates of an obscure militia called the Wolverine Watchmen.

The other five men charged in federal court with conspiracy to kidnap are:

• Adam Fox, 37, of Potterville, known as "Alpha F— You"

• Kaleb Franks, 26, of Waterford, known as "Red Hot."

• Ty Garbin, 25, of Hartland Township, known as "Gunney"

• Daniel Harris, 23, known as "Beaker"

• Brandon Caserta, 32, known as "Debased Tyrant"

The 40-page filing gave FBI agents permission to search a Facebook account belonging to Croft.

In late June, Croft posted a photo of a noose and a caption that listed people and groups that should "hang." The list included references to Obama; former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Democratic U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York; as well as Democrats, liberals, Muslims and "all anti-Americans."

Barry Croft posted this image on his Facebook page, according to the FBI.

On May 8, the FBI obtained a federal search warrant to go through Croft’s Facebook account. The review found messages “plotting potential acts of violence.” On May 3, Croft messaged another user “he may be first.” The user responded, “SC.” The FBI contends that the individual referenced was McMaster, the Republican governor of South Carolina.

FILE- In this Feb. 17, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster after arriving on Air Force One at Charleston International Airport in North Charleston, S.C. Fresh off the Alabama defeat of his chosen candidate to replace Jeff Sessions, Trump is again wading into southern horse-race politics, visiting South Carolina on Monday, Oct. 16, to lend his support for the campaign of McMaster, one of his earliest backers. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

“Yup. I’m going. With Sword,” Croft replied.

The following day, Croft wrote “I’ll die in defense of the constitution” and “I’ll be in Columbia, SC, on Friday. They say they want their governor in custody.”

“I want to grab them all and hold trial,” he added.

McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes declined comment, citing a practice of not commenting about the governor's security issues.

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McMaster is the third governor linked to the alleged conspirators. During a bond hearing earlier this month in federal court, an FBI agent testified that plotters discussed "taking out" Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat.

Croft’s social media posts could be viewed as constitutionally protected free speech but likely would raise concerns within the law enforcement community, said Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.

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https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/28/militia-member-helped-feds-infiltrate-whitmer-kidnap-crew-fbi-says/6060368002/