'Absolute animal': Man, 70, who allegedly forced teen into sex slave contract charged with trying to hire hit man to kill her



A Florida man already accused of forcing a teen girl into signing a "sex slave" contract now faces additional charges alleging that he tried to hire a hit man to kill her before she could testify against him.

According to the TCPalm, the teen contacted law enforcement to report being sexually assaulted on Aug. 17, 2021.

'And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing.'

Officers with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office arrested Andrew Mustapick 10 days later. He was charged with unlawful sex activity with certain minors.

The 17-year-old victim alleged that she was forced to sign a "sex slave" contract in exchange for gifts, including a car.

WPBF-TV reported that the victim told detectives that Mustapick wrote in the contract that the teenager "was to complete these sexual favors on Mondays and Fridays over the next five years."

According to WFLX-TV, Mustapick purchased a car for the victim's friend so the friend could drive the victim to his house.

Mustapick took back the 2017 Volkswagen after the girl did not “uphold her end of the contract,” according to Law & Crime. The vehicle had reportedly been registered in Mustapick's name.

The victim reportedly recorded her last encounter with Mustapick, which she provided to investigators.

In late March 2025, Mustapick signed a plea of no contest to one count of sexual activity with a minor — a second-degree felony.

However, the Indian River Sheriff’s Office reportedly received a tip before Mustapick made a plea deal that he was attempting to hire a hit man to kill the teen to prevent her from testifying against him.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said, "So, in March, we were notified of this. Thank you to the person who came forward. We're not identifying them at this time. But we would not be here today if it weren't for that person that came forward and let us know about this."

According to police, Mustapick met with an undercover detective posing as a hit man for hire on May 1, 2025.

Mustapick allegedly told the undercover cop that he would offer $40,000 to convince the victim to refuse to testify and then offered another $50,000 to have her killed if she still decided to testify.

Flowers added, "His plan was to withdraw the plea deal. And then if the victim was ... no longer here, he essentially gets sentenced to nothing."

Police said Mustapick also was captured on video attempting to dispose of electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive, by throwing them into the St. Sebastian River. The St. Lucie County Dive Team reportedly recovered the laptop and hard drive as evidence.

Authorities accused Mustapick of attempting to seek services to "use intimidation or physical force, or threaten" in order to prevent the victim from testifying or ensure the victim's absence from a criminal proceeding.

Mustapick was detained at the Indian River County Jail on a $7 million bond.

"This guy is an absolute animal," Sheriff Flowers said during a press conference. "Over eight months he’s going to spend in prison, he’s willing to have somebody bumped off."

Mustapick is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.

You can watch the police bodycam video of Mustapick speaking to an undercover cop here.

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Teacher tried to hire student to murder husband — but student's mom foiled $2,000 plot: Court docs



An Ohio high school teacher is accused of attempting to hire a student to murder her soon-to-be ex-husband, according to a criminal complaint. But the student's mother reportedly foiled the murder-for-hire scheme.

Stephanie Demetrius, 44, was arrested April 1. She was charged with first-degree felony conspiracy to commit murder. Ohio state law notes that if convicted, Demetrius faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The estranged husband also alleged that Demetrius used a pair of scissors to 'stab' him while one of their children was home.

Demetrius has a valid substitute teacher's license for pre-K through 12th-grade students, according to the Ohio State Board of Education.

While working at the Academy for Urban Scholars High School in Columbus, Demetrius on March 26 “solicited the student to kill her husband for $2,000," according to an affidavit.

Demetrius gave the student a $250 down payment, according to court documents People magazine obtained.

Law enforcement reportedly collected digital evidence, including a recorded phone call between the student and Demetrius. During the call, Demetrius allegedly assured the student that the remaining payment was on the way.

According to court documents WSYX-TV obtained, Demetrius also told the student when her estranged husband worked from home and when their children would be out of the house.

The student allegedly asked the teacher if the neighbors would hear gunfire, and Demetrius reportedly replied that she doesn't care about the neighbors.

"This particular teacher was attempting to groom this young person into committing murder," stated Sgt. James Fuqua with the Columbus Division of Police.

Fuqua credited the student’s mother for first alerting officials about the alleged murder-for-hire plot after she discovered details on the juvenile's phone.

“Without their help, some of this may not have come completely to light, and this was a situation where the parent was able to capture specific things inside of this young person’s phone to alert authorities,” Fuqua noted.

'She has physically assaulted two of the children and defendant father.'

Franklin County Domestic Relations Court records show that Demetrius filed for divorce from her husband in April 2024. Records show that she previously filed for divorce in September 2017, but that filing was later closed.

Prosecutor Parker Schwartz stated that Demetrius exhibited “possessive and controlling behavior,” citing previous threats made against her husband.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that the teacher's husband filed for emergency custody of the couple’s children in July 2024. In the filing, the husband accused his estranged wife of violating a restraining order, breaking into his home, and taking a laptop and money.

The estranged husband also alleged that Demetrius used a pair of scissors to “stab” him while one of their children was home.

He also said Demetrius set fire to the home's basement, stole parts needed to fix the home’s furnace while temperatures were below freezing, smashed garage doors, damaged property while their children were present, and took the home’s Wi-Fi device to prevent internet access.

"She has physically assaulted two of the children and [the] defendant father," the filing alleged, adding that the "minor children are in danger of harm" since their mother "continues to return to the marital residence and break windows and doors to force herself in."

Court records show Demetrius and her husband married in 2004.

Demetrius' public defender denied the charges and said the accusations are being "fabricated."

The student — an unnamed juvenile — is not accused of criminal activity.

A spokesperson for the Academy for Urban Scholars High School told NBC News that Demetrius no longer is employed at the school.

“As soon as we became aware of the situation, immediate action was taken to terminate her employment,” the school's spokesperson said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and remain focused on the mission and values that guide our work each day.”

Demetrius was released on a $150,000 cash surety bond. She is barred from having any contact with her husband and the minor involved in the case.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for April 11.

You can watch a local newscast about the case here.

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Arrested wife of 'Ghost Adventures' TV star accused of hiring hit man to kill him: 'Was it done?'



The wife of "Ghost Adventures" TV star Aaron Goodwin has been arrested after allegedly hiring a hit man to murder him, according to a report.

On March 6, 32-year-old Victoria Goodwin was arrested and detained at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada, according to inmate records. She was being held Tuesday on $100,000 bail.

'Am I a bad person? Because I chose to end his existence.'

Goodwin was charged with soliciting to commit murder and conspiring to commit murder.

She allegedly schemed a murder-for-hire plot against her husband instead of getting a divorce.

According to an arrest report obtained by TMZ, Victoria was messaging an incarcerated Florida man.

In October 2024, she allegedly offered to pay $11,515 for the murder of her husband; the arrest report stated Victoria paid $2,500 up front.

She reportedly messaged the inmate, “Am I a bad person? Because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce."

The inmate at an undisclosed facility reportedly was in communication with a hit man hired to kill the "Ghost Adventures" star.

Victoria allegedly informed the prisoner about her husband's schedule and location. The killing reportedly was supposed to take place when Aaron Goodwin was filming “Ghost Adventures” in California.

The prisoner purportedly asked the hired assassin, "He's asleep right now in the hotel room ... I need to know what's going on. Can I get an update? Was it done?"

According to police, the alleged murder-for-hire plot was discovered after corrections officers confiscated the Florida inmate's phone as contraband.

When questioned by investigators, Victoria purportedly denied plotting to have her husband killed.

When asked about the messages regarding paying a Florida inmate, she allegedly told police she thought the money was being exchanged for cell phones.

Victoria did acknowledge marital problems with the 48-year-old ghost-hunter.

According to TMZ, she told investigators that she was only “daydreaming or fantasizing about being without her husband” but didn't actually want him dead.

The New York Post reported that it is "unclear what happened with the hit man."

The couple got married at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion in California in August 2022.

Aaron said at the time of his wedding, "It finally happened, we got married. After postponing many times due to Covid, we got our day. I couldn’t be happier."

But in the wake of Victoria's arrest, TMZ reported that Aaron said he thought he was in a happy marriage, and he's blindsided and devastated at this turn of events.

Fellow paranormal investigator Zak Bagans told TMZ that it is an “emotional time” for his "Ghost Adventures" co-star and “he’s trying to give him love and support.”

Aaron Goodwin and Bagans have worked together on “Ghost Adventures” since it premiered in 2008.

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Viewer discretion advised: Footage captures UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in suspected targeted attack



On Tuesday, December 4, at approximately 6:45 a.m., United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York City in what authorities suspect is a targeted attack.

From the assassin-like shooter to the reason that brought Thompson to New York, the circumstances surrounding his death are eerie, to say the least.

Dave Landau and the “Normal World” cast, along with guest Derek Richards, discuss the harrowing details of the murder.

“Police have released images of the suspect, who is described as a skinny man, standing about 6’1” and wearing all black,” Dave reads from a report. Currently, the shooter is still on the loose.

While the suspect himself looks like an average man, the weapon he used to shoot Thompson was certainly not average.

“He had a silencer” on the gun he used and an attachment that “[caught] the shells,” says Dave, who plays the actual footage of the shooting (viewer discretion advised).

Viewers can see Thompson walking to the Hilton, when the shooter walks calmly into the video frame from what appears to be the street, where police say he was likely lying in wait. He aims his weapon and shoots Thompson with precision multiple times before darting back across the street and disappearing.

The gunshots are “so quiet, [bystanders] don’t even know. Cars keep going,” says Dave.

Garrett agrees, “That is professional.”

“To do it literally right there in Manhattan is insane,” adds Richards, who also assumes that this was no random act of passion by an angry person who was denied coverage, as Thompson was hit with "Hilary Clinton precision.”

If the crew is right in the prediction that this was indeed a targeted attack, then the next question is obviously why?

This is where the story gets even juicier.

According to reports, Thompson was in New York to attend “an investors' conference that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to host on Wednesday at the Hilton.”

“What was he going to disclose at the shareholders' meeting?” asks Dave.

Further, “Brian Thompson was facing a Department of Justice probe for insider trading,” says Angela.

“He was obviously trading and dealing with somebody, and they didn’t want that getting out,” Dave theorizes.

Garrett agrees, adding, “It couldn’t just be somebody got pissed and pulled a gun, because that would be sloppy,” but “this was so professional, so it’s gotta come from somebody that’s higher-level.”

To hear more details of the story and see the footage of the shooting, watch the episode above.

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Multi-millionaire hired numerous hitmen in murder-for-hire plots against wife — then killed himself as cops closed in: FBI



A prominent south Florida developer hired numerous hitmen to kill his wife of 32 years, according to the FBI. The multi-millionaire reportedly killed himself just as law enforcement officials were closing in on him.

The FBI said they have recorded phone calls that have incriminated several suspects accused of traumatizing Tatiana Pino — the estranged wife of Sergio Pino.

Investigators believe the motive for the husband's alleged murder-for-hire plot was because his wife rejected his divorce settlement offer of $20 million.

On June 23, a male allegedly pointed a gun at Pino's daughter — 26-year-old Alessandra Pino. The daughter reportedly told a 911 operator, "Oh my gosh. My mom is here. They might have shot her."

Pinecrest Police Department Chief Jason Cohen told Fox News, "[Tatiana] came home from her morning errands, and as she pulled in the driveway, this person pulled up, got out of the car with a firearm. Her daughter actually came out of the house and kind of went face to face with this gunman who clearly wasn't there for the daughter because he, from what I understand, he had the ability to shoot her if he wanted to, and he didn't."

Cohen added, "The guy ended up fleeing because our officers started responding, and he was not able to do what we believe he was there to do that day. We think he was there to likely take her life, Tatiana's life at that point."

A year earlier, someone slammed a rented Home Depot truck into an SUV that Tatiana was driving — in the same driveway where the gun threat took place.

Cohen explained, "She came home from being out, and when she pulled into her driveway, there was a Home Depot flatbed rental truck that was sitting on the street waiting for her. And as she pulled in, it kind of rammed her vehicle and took off."

"It was brought to our attention that this incident here was likely much more than just somebody crashing into her while she's coming home," Cohen stated. "We were made aware of a lot of the background of what had been going on with Mrs. Pino, the accusations of her being poisoned or drugged by potentially her soon-to-be ex-husband … it started to make sense that this was just another piece in that big puzzle."

Tatiana filed for divorce in April 2022.

The murder-for-hire plot to kill Tatiana reportedly began as early as July 2022.

'Now you can’t shake the rap. Your two boys now, or whoever the f*** they are, they can shake the rap.'

U.S. attorney Markenzy Lapointe said hitmen even "obtained fentanyl to assist Sergio Pino in his effort to kill his wife."

"Mrs. Pino had to die before their next divorce proceedings," Lapointe said.

The FBI investigated the case and zeroed in on Sergio Pino.

On July 16, the FBI conducted a search and arrest operation at the Pinos' $8 million waterfront Coral Gables home, but Pino allegedly committed suicide just as law enforcement officials were closing in on him.

The FBI said in a press release that "Sergio Pino was discovered by the FBI inside the residence deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Sam Rabin, Pino’s criminal defense attorney, stated that "Sergio Pino took his own life today. The level of law enforcement activity at his residence was unprecedented and unnecessary, especially since we had offered to surrender him, should that have become necessary. Today’s events mark a very tragic ending to an investigation that we were confident we could successfully defend. There were many rumors and allegations, but what was lacking was evidence."

Pino's alleged suicide ended the criminal case against him, but police have been scrutinizing other suspects.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced in a July 31 news release that suspects have been charged and indicted for their "respective involvement in a campaign to stalk, torment, and attempt to kill" Tatiana Pino, including Bayron Bennett, 33; Fausto Villar, 42; Avery Bivins, 36; Clementa Johnson, 47; Diori Barnard, 47; Jerren Keith Howard, 38; Michael Jose Dulfo, 42; and Edner Etienne 27. If convicted, the suspects would face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The FBI said it has recorded phone calls between Villar and Bivins. Both served time in Florida state prison — Bivins for attempted felony murder and armed robbery and Villar for armed robbery.

“It’s going to be good, everything gonna be straight,” Bivins allegedly told Villar.

“Straight. But the f***ing smoke has to clear,” Villar replied. “Everything has to clear, smoke has to clear. So with what you got, try to fend off.”

“It’s going to be good, everything gonna be straight,” Bivins tells him.

“When this b**** gets over and done with, know this — we’re all good, you know what I’m saying?” Villar allegedly told Bivins. “Everything is going to be good.”

After members of Bivins' crew was arrested, Villar became worried about law enforcement cracking down on them.

“Why would you, if you get pinched, they’re going to have, this becomes now a conspiracy,” Villar reportedly told Bivins. “Now you can’t shake the rap. Your two boys now, or whoever the f*** they are, they can shake the rap.”

Villar advised Bivins to delete his social media accounts.

The FBI said Bivins agreed to a deal of $150,000 from Villar to murder Tatiana and had already paid him $75,000. Reportedly, there was a $150,000 bonus in the offing if the act were to have been carried out without law enforcement detection.

Cohen said of the case, "I've been in law enforcement for 27 years, and something like this ... it seemed like something out of a Hollywood movie, but this was unfortunately real life."

Investigators believe the motive for the husband's alleged murder-for-hire plot was because his wife rejected his divorce settlement offer of $20 million. Financial statements revealed in the couple's divorce case showed the pair's 2022 net worth at more than $153 million and as much as $359 million.

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California equestrian accused of $2 million murder-for-hire plot, hiring hitman to kill estranged husband



A California woman is accused of attempting to orchestrate a $2 million murder-for-hire plot to kill off her estranged husband.

Tatyana Remley, 42, was arrested on Aug. 2 at a Starbucks in Solana Beach, California. The glamorous and wealthy equestrian was charged with solicitation of murder, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place, according to court records.

Remley filed for divorce from her 57-year-old husband on July 11. The pair had been separated since May, but shared homes in Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe.

The divorce filing also reportedly claimed that her husband, Mark Remley, held a gun to Tatyana's head one time and once chased her around their $5 million California home with a knife.

Tatyana asked the court to order Remley to pay $15,000 in monthly spousal support and to grant her control of multiple assets, including vehicles and property.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, "During their first year of marriage, Mark Remley bought Tatyana about $160,000 worth of clothes and jewelry and a $30,000 truck. He also bought her a $218,000 engagement ring and a $70,000 diamond ring."

However, Tatyana was on law enforcement's radar shortly before she filed for divorce.

On July 2, police responded to a fire at the couple's $5 million home in the suburbs of San Diego. Police found three firearms and ammunition belonging to Tatyana, and charged her.

Fox News reported, "She allegedly had an illegal handgun hidden in her car and then got out with it in public." She was later released on bail.

The fire is still being investigated.

Tatyana is accused of organizing a murder-for-hire plot on her husband – who she has been married to since 2011.

The day after the fire, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department opened an investigation into her alleged murder-for-hire plot "after receiving information Remley was attempting to hire someone to kill her estranged husband."

The husband reportedly told the Coast News that a mutual friend of the couple told him in early July that Tatyana offered the friend $2 million to murder Mark.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department organized a sting operation to attempt to catch Tatyana.

On Aug. 2, Tatyana allegedly met with an undercover detective posing as a hitman at Starbucks.

"She provided detailed information on how she wanted her husband killed and his body disposed," the sheriff’s department said.

She reportedly brought money for a "down payment" for the murder-for-hire plot as well as three firearms. Officers arrested Tatyana at the Starbucks.

Remley is currently being held without bail at the Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee, California. Tatyana has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Remley is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 16.

Tatyana and Mark Remley are known for producing an extravagant horse show named "Valitar" in 2012. The "equine-human acrobatics" show was suddenly shut down after just four disappointing performances. The couple reportedly spent millions producing the short-lived equestrian show. Crew members and performers were reportedly not paid for nearly a month.

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‘Textbook Murder for Hire’: Failed Horse Show Producer Allegedly Put $2M Hit on Husband www.youtube.com

How a robbery at a Bahamas bar exposed an alleged murder-for-hire plot on a former Auburn football player by ex-beauty queen and her secret lover



A Georgia ex-beauty queen has been arrested for allegedly plotting a murder-for-hire on her estranged husband along with her secret lover. The hitman plot to kill the former Auburn football player was only exposed after authorities discovered damning evidence while investigating a completely different crime committed at a beach bar in the Bahamas.

Lindsay Shiver, 36, conspired with her alleged secret lover, 28-year-old Terrance Bethel, to kill her estranged husband, Robert Shiver, according to Bahamas Court News. The former beauty pageant queen and mother-of-three reportedly devised a murder-for-hire plot with Bethel and 29-year-old Faron Newbold.

Bahamian police stumbled upon the murder plot while investigating a completely separate case. Earlier this month, local police were investigating a burglary at Grabber’s Bar and Grill in Great Guana Cay in the Bahamas.

Police reportedly discovered WhatsApp messages "detailing the plan" for the murder-for-hire plot on a cell phone belonging to a suspect in the beach bar break-in. Authorities did not reveal who owned the phone with the messages about the purported murder plan.

The Thomasville Times-Enterprise reported, "A source familiar with the investigation said the Shivers have a home in the Bahamas, where Lindsay first began an affair with Bethel. Upon Robert finding out about the affair, he filed for divorce."

Following the divorce filing, Lindsay, Bethel, and Newbold Jr. allegedly devised a plan to kill Robert Shiver during a meeting in Abaco, Bahamas.

"On July 16, 2023 at Abaco, while being together, did with a common purpose agree to commit an offense, namely the murder of Richard Shiver," the police report stated.

The trio were arrested in Abaco and transported to a jail in the country's capital of Nassau.

They are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 5.

Lindsay and Robert have three sons together.

Lindsay Shiver was previously a cheerleader at Auburn University – where she met Robert at a fitness class.

In 2005, Lindsay Shiver was crowned Miss Houston County and finished as the 2nd runner-up in the National Peanut Festival pageant, according to WTVY.

Robert Shiver was a snapper for the Auburn Tigers between 2006 and 2008. In 2009, Shiver signed with Atlanta Falcons as a free agent but was cut before the start of the NFL season.

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Florida teen mom tried to hire hitman on fake website to kill 3-year-old son: Police



A Florida woman was arrested on Tuesday after attempting to hire a hitman from a fake hire-an-assassin website to kill her 3-year-old son, according to police.

Jazmin Paez, an 18-year-old mother from Miami, was charged with first-degree solicitation of murder and third-degree using a communications device for an unlawful use, according to CBS News.

Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer set the bond at $15,000 and ordered Paez to have no contact with the child. Paez was released from jail on Thursday and did not give any comments to reporters after being released.

Paez reportedly visited the RentAHitman.com website — which is a site that offers fake assassins.

The website states: "Our expertly trained field operatives are dedicated to providing a complimentary consultation to help you discover the perfect solution for your unique situation."

Paez requested a hitman to kill her 3-year-old son, according to arrest documents. The teen mom reportedly sent photos of her son to the fake hitman and provided the exact location of where the toddler was going to be when she wanted the child murdered.

The website owner, Robert Innes, notified the Miami-Dade police on Tuesday about the woman attempting to arrange the murder-for-hire plot of her young son.

Innes told WTVJ, "The ability to research names and addresses and verify the intended target lived in a particular address. That, to me, is a red flag. If that information is corroborated, to me, that is something that needs to be looked at, and that’s why I referred it."

Police traced the IP address of the computer that was used to make the murder-for-hire request. Investigators posed as the hired hitman and contacted Paez, according to arrest documents. Police said Paez agreed to pay $3,000 for the hitman to murder her son.

Paez allegedly provided a fake name for herself and also had a safe word of "put me in coach."

She reportedly told authorities that she wanted to have her kid killed "to get something done once and for all.”

Paez allegedly asked for her son to "be taken away, far, far, far away and possibly be killed but ASAP."

Detectives reportedly went to the address that Paez supplied them with — where they found the boy and his grandmother. She told the police that her daughter had moved out of her home in May and had lived with her father ever since. The toddler was living with his grandmother, and the mother would have video conferences with her son daily. The grandmother confirmed her grandson was the boy in the photo provided by Paez.

Paez was later arrested at her father's house and provided a confession, according to the police report.

The RentAHitman website has led to the arrests of at least 150 people who wanted to hire an assassin.

In April, a Tennessee Air National Guardsman was arrested for allegedly seeking a hitman from the fake website.

Police: Teen mom tried to hire hitman to kill her son www.youtube.com

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FBI nabs Air National Guardsman who applied as an assassin on a parody website



A Tennessee Air National Guardsman is facing federal charges after meeting with an undercover agent Wednesday to arrange a murder-for-hire, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis announced Friday.

Josiah Ernesto Garcia, 21, was charged Thursday in a criminal complaint involving the use of interstate facilities in the commission of murder for hire.

Garcia's status as an airman first class in the Air National Guard since July 2021 was confirmed by CBS News.

Garcia submitted an employment inquiry to a parody website called "rent-a-hitman" while searing for contract mercenary jobs to support his family back in February, according to the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee.

The opening page of the site warns readers against competing unsafe "marketplaces for carrying out nefarious deeds." They claim, tongue-in-cheek, to offer services for people who are "tired of getting bullied" and say they can "make any troubled relationship disappear."

To add to what would seemingly be readily apparent as a joke, the site boasts "100% compliance" with the obviously non-existent "Hitman Information Privacy & Protection Act of 1964 (HIPPA)." Further, they provide testimonials from customers like "Laura," who caught her husband cheating, but after availing herself of the site's services, is "single again."

Garcia, apparently unaware the site was a parody, applied for work on the site as a hired killer via a webform. A disclaimer on the bottom of the form currently notes "Due to contractual restrictions, Rent-A-Hitman is no longer affiliated with Diners Club, Kanye West, the Illuminati, Rudolph Giuliani, Alec Baldwin, Kyle Rittenhouse or Carole Baskin."

Garcia followed up by submitting a resume and identification documents to the site, the DOJ says. His resume reportedly said he had earned the nickname "Reaper" from his military experience and marksmanship.

An undercover FBI agent began communicating with the young guardsman, who agreed to kill a person for the sum of $5,000.

When Garcia met the agent at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee Wednesday, he received a packet of information about the fictional target along with a down payment of $2,500. Garcia agreed to the terms and inquired about whether he would need to provide a photo of the dead body.

After he was arrested, FBI agents searched his home and recovered an AR style rifle.

If convicted, Garcia will face up to 10 years in prison.

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Florida police arrest new husband of former Microsoft executive's ex-wife in connection with his murder —after hitman gives him up



Jared Bridegan, a former Microsoft executive and father of four, was gunned down in Florida last year in front of his infant daughter. The hitman responsible for Bridegan's murder not only pleaded guilty Thursday, but also turned on his alleged co-conspirator.

Officials indicated that immediately after the hitman entered his guilty plea, a judge signed the arrest warrant for Mario Fernandez Saldana, the new husband of Bridegan's ex-wife. Saldana was taken into custody around 9:35 a.m. without incident.

What's the background?

Bridegan, 33, was gunned down on Feb. 16, 2022, in the area of Jacksonville Drive and Sanctuary Boulevard in front of his 2-year-old daughter, who was sitting in the back seat of his car, reported the Florida Times-Union. He had just dropped off his 9-year-old twins at his ex-wife's residence.

Responding to a call around 8 p.m., officers found Bridegan's body in a wooded area near the road but his daughter unharmed. Handgun shell casings were found at the scene as well as a damaged tire. The victim was reportedly shot at close range.

According to officials, a tire had purposefully been set on the road blocking the way. When Bridegan exited his vehicle to move the tire, police say "he was gunned down in cold blood."

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith said, "This was a planned and target[ed] ambush and murder."

In late January 2023, Smith announced that 61-year-old felon Henry Arthur Tenon had been charged in connection with Bridegan's slaying. Tenon was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to capital felony, and child abuse.

The Times-Union indicated that Tenon was a career criminal with a felonious record in Georgia and nine arrests in Jacksonville.

At the time of Tenon's arrest, State Attorney Melissa Nelson noted that "Henry Tenon did not act alone."

There was a great deal of speculation about possible motives and accomplices, especially since Bridegan and his ex, 35-year-old Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, had a long and bitter divorce.

Gardner-Fernandez recently hired a defense attorney to deal with media pressure and accusations that she or her new husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana, might have had something to do with Bridegan's grisly demise.

Gardner-Fernandez told the Times-Union, "I feel for Jared's family and what they are going through. I can't even imagine."

The victim, who had similarly remarried, was survived by widow Kirsten Bridegan, with whom he had two children.

Kirsten has pushed ardently for clues as to who might have wanted her husband dead and why, noting, "He was a dedicated father. He did everything for his children, and he cannot be replaced. They will never have their dad back. I want answers."

Death penalty

Chief Smith announced on Thursday that Mario Fernandez Saldana had been arrested in connection with Bridegan's murder.

WTLV-TV previously established that the accused hitman had rented a property from Saldana.

"I was not surprised that there was a connection. It's tragic, my immediate thoughts were for Liam and Abigail and what they are going through right now because of what that could implicate, but I was not surprised with that connection being made," Kirsten Bridegan said upon learning of the link.

ATF Special Agent Robert Bryson told reporters Thursday that Saldana was arrested around 9:35 a.m. without incident and transported to the Orange County jail.

State Attorney Nelson indicated that as part of Tenon's plea agreement with the State of Florida, "he has agreed to testify truthfully against those he worked with to murder Jared Bridegan. ... Tenon's cooperation has both corroborated evidence collected during the investigation and provided additional evidence against Mario Fernandez Saldana for his role in the planning and execution of Jared's murder."

ABC News reported that phone records showed Tenon and Saldana had 35 "phone contacts" in February 2022, the month Bridegan was murdered. The hitman and the disgruntled ex-wife's husband interacted by phone on multiple other occasions between March and June, according Saldana's arrest warrant.

A grand jury has indicted Saldana with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse.

Nelson noted that if found guilty of first-degree murder, Saldana faces the death penalty or life imprisonment.

After Thursday's press briefing, Kirsten Bridegan said, "We have great relief knowing that two of the people behind my husband's murder are behind bars and are no longer a threat to our family. ... We are also still angry — angry that they were walking free while we were grappling with the reality that Jared wouldn't be here for any future memories, vacations or tender moments with our kids."

Kirsten Bridegan added, "We have fought hard for the truth and the world now knows what we have known all along; that Jared truly was an innocent victim. ... Since day one, those in charge of the investigation promised us that they would be relentless in their pursuit of justice and they have been."

Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna, has not been arrested. Police have yet to note whether they intend to make additional arrests.

Watch | Officials to announce major development in Jared Bridegan's murder youtu.be

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