(The Center Square) – An Alabama man pleaded guilty to traveling to Flint, Michigan in a murder-for-hire scheme.
Reginald L. Hunter, 27, of Mobile, Alabama pleaded guilty before U. S. District Court Judge Kay F. Behm.
Court documents say that on Feb. 7, 2022 an individual identified as Person 1 solicited Hunter and his co-defendant Julius K. Jordan to travel from Alabama to Michigan to murder someone in exchange for money.
That person allegedly sent money to Hunter and Jordan to travel to Michigan and provided them with rifles to kill the person.
On Feb. 15, 2022, Hunter and Jordan ran a stop sign while hunting their intended victim. The Michigan State Police pulled them over and seized two loaded weapons with high-capacity magazines: a short barrel, semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic rifle.
“These defendants were hired guns who agreed to end someone’s life for money, but the outstanding work of the Michigan State Police undoubtedly saved a life,” U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said in a statement. “We will continue to focus our efforts on those driving violence in our community, including those near and those who elect to enter our community to commit violent acts.”
Jordan previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. Hunter is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2024. The investigation of Person 1 remains ongoing.
Special Agent in Charge James Deir welcomed the guilty plea.
“This case represents a tale as old as time – choices have consequences,” Deir said in a statement. “Hunter pleaded guilty to a choice he made to come up to Michigan from Alabama to murder someone. Now, he will have many years to reflect about his life choices behind bars. The message is simple – if you commit gun crime in Michigan, expect to pack your bags for prison.”
The Michigan State Police and special agents of the ATF’s Flint Field Office and the FBI’s Flint Resident Agency investigated the case being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jules M. DePorre and Anthony P. Vance.
“The thwarted murder-for-hire plot in this case underscores the significance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the citizens in our community,” Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cheyvoryea Gibson said in a statement. “Had it not been for the combined efforts of the ATF, Michigan State Police, and Flint Police Department working together as part of the Genesee County Safe Streets Task Force, the consequences could have been far more catastrophic. The FBI is committed to investigating violent crimes such as this and we remain steadfast in our goal of making Michigan’s streets safer for everyone.”