Militia member from Michigan arrested after gun with silencer found in home, AG says

Although he’s not been linked to the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot, a Michigan man with militia connections is facing felony gun charges after an altered firearm with a silencer was discovered in his home, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office says.

The discovery came as a result of the kidnap plot investigation, according to the AG’s Office.

Police have charged 22-year-old Maxwell Wyckoff of Clarkston with converting a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon, punishable by up to four years in prison; and possessing a muffler or silencer device, punishable by up to five years in prison.

The AG’s Office said Wyckoff is a member of the Wolverine Watchmen, a group whose members have been charged separately with crimes related to an alleged plot to commit violence against government officials, police and abduct Whitmer.

In all, 14 people have been charged in connection with the alleged kidnap plot.

“As a member of the Wolverine Watchmen, Wyckoff attended multiple field training exercises at a location in Munith, Michigan,” the AG’s Office said. “The FBI and the Michigan state police conducted an extensive investigation into the Wolverine Watchmen and their activities.

“As a result of this investigation and the information obtained, search warrants were authorized on the residences of multiple members of the Wolverine Watchmen, including Wyckoff.”

Nessel said “modifying a firearm to increase the stealth capability and lethality of the weapon is a crime.”

Prior testimony in the kidnap plot case indicated members of the Wolverine Watchmen were involved in creating “ghost guns.”

“A ghost gun is basically a weapon that is created and has no serial number or no way to track the weapon,” FBI Special Agent Richard J. Trask II testified on Oct. 13. “It’s not registered with any agencies.”

Law enforcement also seized explosives during their investigation.

Wyckoff was arraigned in Oakland County’s 52nd District Court Monday and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary exam on April 8.

More on MLive:

FBI informant sheds light on kidnap plot

Feds want to share grand jury testimony

‘He can’t believe he got involved’

‘Ghost guns’ seized during searches

Citizen’s arrest defense probably won’t fly

The ties that bind the suspects in alleged plot

Alleged kidnapping plot photos, video released

‘Liberate Michigan,’ Trump tweets

Whitmer said Trump is inciting ‘domestic terrorism’

Town alarmed by presence of militia plot

Men trained with guns, explosives, neighbors say

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