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 slow down. He would come out immediately and say, ‘We were planning to do this and I was consciously part of it.'”
Garbin’s lawyers asked the judge for a sentence of no more than six years, and cited his collaboration, which they say has endangered him.
Authorities had transferred Garbin to a different prison pending his sentencing in an effort to protect him from reprisals from his conspirators, according to court documents.
Garbin spoke briefly in court Wednesday to apologize to Whitmer and his family.
“Honor, I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and his family. I have had plenty of time to reflect on my actions. And I never realized what my actions would have caused him, but also his family, ”he said. “I can’t even begin to imagine how much stress and fear his family members felt because of my actions. And that’s why I’m so sorry.”
Garbin said he will work with a advocacy group to continue to radicalize himself and help radicalize other people.
In issuing his decision from the bank, the district chief judge, Robert Jonker, said he believed Garbin was really on a path to rehabilitation.
“He has changed his behavior, for sure. I think he has also changed his heart and opinion. And I think it’s a great prospect to follow law-abiding paths once he’s finished paying for these serious mistakes,” he said. the judge.
Jonker read parts of a victim impact statement the governor had submitted prior to the 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 they made. of our nation a beacon of possibilities and opportunities. to the rest of the world, “Whitmer wrote.
He did not apply for a financial refund.
The indictment alleged that between June 6 and October 7, 2020, the men conspired to “illegally confiscate, kidnap, kidnap and take away, and remain in rescue and reward” Whitmer. Authorities have said the men planned to kidnap the governor of a holiday home and blow up a bridge to delay law enforcement, but were first arrested.
In addition to the defendants in federal court, the state charged several people in the case.
According to the federal criminal complaint, the FBI learned of the alleged scheme in early 2020 through a social media group, The Detroit News reported.
CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.