The Devastating Ripple Effects: How the Whitmer Case Shattered One Family's Life
January 23, 2026 - In the shadow of high-profile trials and media sensationalism, it’s easy to forget the human stories left in the wake. The 2020 so-called “plot to kidnap” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer grabbed headlines, but for the family of Pete Musico and Joe Morrison, it has been a relentless nightmare of loss, hardship, and quiet desperation.
More than three years after their incarceration of Pete and Joe, the family continues to face severe financial and emotional hardship.
Musico, 44 at the time of conviction, and his son-in-law Morrison, 28, were found guilty in October 2022 of “providing material support for a terrorist act, gang membership, and felony firearm” as members of the Wolverine Watchmen.
In December 2022, Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson (currently under investigation himself for allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment) sentenced Musico to a minimum of 12 years in prison (with sentences running consecutively) and Morrison to a minimum of 10 years.
Recent court rulings, including denials of motions for new trials, resentencing, and reconsideration as late as January 2025, have left their appeals exhausted at the state level for now, with parole eligibility still years away.
The convictions removed the two primary breadwinners from a multi-generational household in Munith, Michigan. Musico’s wife, Crystal Musico — Morrison’s mother-in-law — has become the sole provider, taking on extended work hours while assuming responsibilities previously shared by the men, including caregiving for her grandchildren.
The family reports mounting legal fees, prison-related costs, and lost income have created unsustainable financial pressure. Repairs to their home remain unaffordable, property taxes are increasingly difficult to meet, and they express concern that they could lose everything by next year.
Crystal Musico described the toll on her daughter, Jada, and her grandchildren, who have lost daily access to their father and grandfather. She has stepped into expanded roles to maintain stability for the children amid the absence.
Two family photographs illustrate the lives disrupted by these events. One from 2021 shows Pete reading to his granddaughter.
The second image, taken on September 30, 2022, captures what the family describes as their final outing together before the men's incarceration: Pete, Joe, Jada, and the kids enjoying time on a playground seesaw in a local park.
Reflecting on that day, Crystal Musico said:
“I will never see my family like this again, but God knows what tomorrow holds.”
While the case remains a subject of legal and public debate—centered on the role of informants, entrapment claims, and the boundaries of anti-terrorism laws—the family’s ongoing struggle highlights the broader, often overlooked consequences for dependents of those convicted. As the men serve their sentences, their loved ones navigate a future marked by uncertainty and loss.
If you are able, and God has put it on your heart, you can help support the family by making a donation to Crystal Musico via cash app at:
Please keep this struggling family in your prayers.