An FBI agent credited with foiling the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer last year has been fired from the agency, two months after he was arrested for allegedly beating his wife.
Richard Trask, 39, had made a name for himself when he arrested a group of far-right 'militia' members, claiming in court documents that they plotted to kidnap the Michigan governor and dump her in a lake over her strict COVID mandates.
But in July, Trask's reputation started to take a nosedive when he was arrested with intent to do great bodily harm after he allegedly beat his wife in their home following a disagreement at a swingers party.
Trask, who was also moonlighting as a personal trainer, has since pleaded not guilty to the assault.
It is unclear whether his superiors at the FBI were aware he had another job.
Then just last week, prosecutors decided to omit his testimony after his social media posts came to light, revealing he once referred to former President Donald Trump as a 'douchebag f****** reality tv star.'
By Saturday, federal officials confirmed to The Detroit News he is no longer employed by the bureau.
They would not confirm what the basis of Trask's firing was.
Richard Trask, 39, was fired from his position in the FBI, the Detroit News confirmed. He has worked on cases involving espionage, terrorism and domestic extremism investigations
Trask also owns a gym at his rural Michigan property. It is unclear whether his superiors in the FBI knew of his other job
He was a key figure in efforts to make a case against 14 men who plotted to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer (pictured) in October
Trask was arrested in July after he had attended a swinger's party in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife. They argued about it and on their return home had a physical fight, leaving her bloodied and bruised
Trask was arrested on July 18 for allegedly beating his wife, after they attended a swinger's party in Kalamazoo, where they lived.
Trask's wife said that they had several drinks at the party, held at a hotel in Oshtemo Township.
She did not like the party and they argued about it on the way home
The argument allegedly turned physical when Trask climbed on top of her in bed and repeatedly smashed his wife's head against a nightstand, leaving her bloody.
She attempted to grab his beard to free herself, and he began to choke her around the neck and throat, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Detroit News.
She ultimately grabbed Trask's testicles, which ended the altercation, the document notes, and Trask left their Oshtemo Township home in her vehicle.
Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said Trask's wife had cuts to the right side of her head and 'blood all over chest, clothing arms and hand,' as well as 'severe' bruising to her neck and throat.
Trask, a gym owner who has worked for the FBI since 2011, was tracked down in the parking lot of a supermarket on Main Street in Oshtemo Township, near Kalamazoo.
He is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder. Trask was released on a $10,000 bail and is prohibited from carrying a firearm.
Trask has worked on cases involving espionage, terrorism and domestic extremism investigations.
Hundreds of people descended on Michigan's Capitol building on April 30 to protest against Whitmer extending a statewide stay-at-home order. Pictured are Joe Morrison (far right), Paul Bellar (second right) and Pete Musico (red checked shirt) - the co founders of Wolverine Watchmen
A confederate flag hangs on the property in Munith, Michigan, where the group trained
The militia training ground in rural Michigan where at least some of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer practiced shooting and blew up homemade explosives
The site is mostly barren aside from a small trailer. It's unclear if anyone lives in it or if was just used by the training camp
Among shooting targets were metal signs that were riddled with bullet holes
Last year, he made headlines for taking down a group of militia members, known as the Wolverine Watchmen, who had planned to kidnap Governor Whitmer.
He and other prosecutors claimed in their affidavits that, through a militia group member who became an informant, federal agents became aware that the men were plotting the 'violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components' and taking 'violent action' against state governments that they believed were violating the United States Constitution.
Among these plans, was one to kidnap Whitmer in retaliation for her 'uncontrolled power' amid the pandemic.
The group allegedly met for several months to plan out how they would kidnap the governor, including using a boat to flee with her and leaving her in the middle of Lake Michigan, and engaged in tactical
