Hiring Hitmen in Fort Myers: What Are the Penalties?

The word “assassin” stems from the Arabic word “hashashim,” and the original “hitmen” of the ancient world lived in Persia during the time of the Crusades. People have been hiring each other to carry out murder for thousands of years, and this practice is alive and well in the modern era. Whether you hire someone to carry out a murder or accept payment to kill a target, you face strict homicide penalties in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers Man Gets 45 Years After Being Paid for Murder 

In May of 2024, the Justice Department announced that a Fort Myers man had been sentenced to 45 years in prison for a “murder-for-hire plot.” The individual in question traveled from Chicago to Fort Myers with another hitman after being hired to attack a local gang in Fort Myers. The individual who ordered this “hit” believed that the rival gang had stolen drugs from their residence, and the assassination was their way of retaliating.

After arriving in Fort Myers, the two individuals reportedly received partial payment for the murder. Over the next few months, the individuals worked with their “employers” to locate members of the target gang – which goes by the name “Bucktown.” Finally, they traveled to a known Bucktown hangout and targeted one individual standing on the street. Both defendants opened fire at point-blank range, killing the victim with a gunshot wound to the head.

In total, the defendants received $10,000 for carrying out the murder. They also received the guns used in the crime, which had been provided by the employer. After returning to Chicago, they were apprehended days later in possession of these firearms. ATF then used the firearms to match the shell casings found at the murder scene, and the defendants were arrested.

You Can Go to Prison Even if No Murder Occurred 

Murder-for-hire plots often involve conspiracy offenses. Whenever you get together with other people and plan out a crime, you are technically committing “conspiracy.” An obvious example is contacting someone and asking them to kill a victim for money. Even if you change your mind later or the assassination is unsuccessful, you would still face murder conspiracy charges. As far as the law is concerned, planning to murder someone with other people is almost as serious as carrying out an actual murder.

Some have argued that conspiracy laws represent “thought crimes” and are therefore unconstitutional. At face value, it may not make sense to face murder charges for a murder that never occurred – but this is how criminal laws work in Florida.

If you participate in a murder-for-hire plot that is successful, you will face a murder charge and a separate murder conspiracy charge.

Find a Murder Defense Attorney in Fort Myers 

If you are facing allegations of participating in a murder-for-hire plot, you should speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney in Fort Myers right away. These allegations can easily spiral out of control, and you can defend yourself effectively with help from a lawyer. The Foley & Wilson Law Firm has assisted numerous defendants in Fort Myers, including those accused of violent crimes. Reach out today to get started with a defense strategy.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/fort-myers-man-sentenced-45-years-imprisonment-murder-hire-scheme

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0777/Sections/0777.04.html