NASHVILLE – Josiah Ernesto Garcia, 23, from Toledo, Ohio, and formerly of Hermitage, Tennessee, has pleaded guilty to federal charges after attempting to finalize a deal to murder an individual for payment with an undercover FBI agent. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. Garcia admitted to using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
According to court records, Garcia needed money to support his family and began searching online for contract mercenary jobs in mid-February 2023. He found the website www.rentahitman.com. Originally created in 2005 to advertise a cyber security startup, the website failed but continued to receive inquiries about murder-for-hire services over the next decade. The administrator then converted it into a parody site, containing false testimonials and an intake form for service requests. The site also has an option for someone to apply as a hitman.
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Garcia submitted an employment inquiry expressing interest in becoming a hitman, citing his “military experience and rifle expertise.” He followed up with additional identification documents and a resume that highlighted his expert marksmanship and his employment with the Air National Guard since July 2021. His resume also mentioned his nickname, “Reaper,” earned from his military experience and marksmanship.
Garcia continued to follow up with the website administrator, eager to start working as soon as possible. An FBI undercover agent then contacted Garcia by phone and later met him in person to discuss his application. Both conversations were recorded. The agent met Garcia at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and provided him with a target packet of a fictional individual, which included photographs and other details, along with a down payment of $2,500.
After agreeing to the terms, Garcia asked if he needed to provide a photograph of the dead body. At this moment, FBI agents arrested him. A subsequent search of his home uncovered an AR-style rifle.
Garcia is scheduled for sentencing on February 7, 2025, and faces up to 10 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Resident Agency, Memphis Field Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke K. Schiferle.
Source: Read Original Release
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