Wolverine Watchmen Member To Testify Against Whitmer Plotters

LANSING, MI — A member of the extremist Wolverine Watchmen group could have two weapons charges expunged from his record in exchange for testimony against other members of the group, state attorneys said Wednesday.

Maxwell Wyckoff, 22, of Clarkston, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of converting a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon and one count of possessing a muffler or silencer device. The latter charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, according to Michigan law.

But instead of serving prison time, Wyckoff could eventually have the two felonies removed from his record. In exchange for his plea, the Michigan Attorney General's office said it would request he be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would allow him to serve probation and have the chance to have his conviction expunged from his record if he completes the probationary period successfully.

“The charges Mr. Wyckoff faces are serious and I appreciate my team’s work on reaching this plea agreement,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “We will not hesitate to prosecute any individual who commits weapons related offenses.”

With the plea, Wyckoff agreed to cooperate with the state's investigation into eight men who also are members of the Wolverine Watchmen but who were plotting to kidnap and potentially kill Whitmer.

Related: Michigan Militia Members Accused In Plot To Kidnap, Kill Whitmer

Wyckoff was not involved in that conspiracy, Nessel's office said Wednesday.

A sentencing date has been set for June 29 at 10:30 a.m. in front of Judge Matis.