Man acquitted of aiding in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot now running for sheriff

DETROIT — Eric Molitor, whom a jury found not guilty of supporting a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is now running for sheriff in northern Michigan's Wexford County.

In an interview Thursday, Molitor, 40, of Cadillac confirmed he filed paperwork to challenge the county's incumbent sheriff, Trent Taylor, in the Republican primary. Molitor said his personal legal troubles had opened his eyes to problems in the criminal justice system and if elected, he would refuse to enforce laws that he deemed unconstitutional.

As for voters concerned about the allegations he faced, Molitor said he was willing to personally walk them through his defense. In September, an Antrim County jury found Molitor, William Null, and his twin brother, Michael Null, not guilty of providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge.

"Come on over," Molitor said. "I will open some stuff and let people see. This was a setup by the government."

Molitor was one of 14 men charged in federal or state courts in 2020 because of their involvement in alleged plans to kidnap and harm Whitmer, Michigan's top government official. Overall, nine suspects were convicted or accepted plea deals, while a total of five men, including Molitor, were acquitted.

Molitor testified during his trial, describing his participation in a ride to see the governor's vacation home in northern Michigan, according to the Associated Press.

“It didn't seem serious. … The danger level in my mind was decreasing just based on the fact that they were not organized. It was two guys, one of them just talking crazy,” testified Molitor, according to the Associated Press. “My danger level went way down.”

Molitor said he's struggled to find a job since his acquittal in September, but he's working to open a survival school in Cadillac.

Wexford County has a population of about 34,000 people. In 2020, the county voted overwhelmingly for Republican Donald Trump for president. Trump won the county with 66% of the vote. Democrat Joe Biden got 32%.

Taylor, a Republican and the county's current sheriff, is running for a third term. He's been part of the local sheriff's office in various positions for longer than three decades, he said.

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