A Tennessee Air National Guardsman, Josiah Ernesto Garcia, is now facing charges after applying to be a hitman on a spoof website. The 21-year-old was charged after he submitted an employment inquiry on the fake site that included “testimonials” from supposed satisfied hitman customers.
Additionally, rentahitman.com was created in 2005 to “advertise a cyber security startup company,” according to the Department of Justice.
The company failed and over the next decade it received many inquiries about murder-for-hire services.
Murder-For-Hire Inquiry
Back in February, Garcia applied to be a hitman saying he had “military experience and rifle expertise. Then he requested an “in-depth job description,” according to a criminal complaint filed on Thursday.
Furthermore, investigators say that Garcia sent an email saying that he is looking for employment “that pays well.” He added that he wants something “related to my military experience (Shooting and Killing the marked target).” Garcia stated he has a child on the way and wanted to be financially secure. Moreover, he stated that he enjoyed his current occupation “so if I can find a job that is similar to it, (such as this one) put me in coach!”
At the behest of the FBI, the owner of the website emailed Garcia back telling him “Josiah, a Field Coordinator will be in touch in the near future.” The responding email added that Garcia would “receive a message when they are ready. Timing is based on client needs.”
Hitman Interview
On the 5th of April, an undercover FBI agent contacted the Air National Guardsman for a phone interview. During the conversation, Garcia inquired when he’d be able to start before asking how the payments worked.
Then the FBI agent asked if the Guardsman was comfortable with torturing his marks or taking ears or fingers as trophies for the clients. Which Garcia stated he was “more than capable” if the opportunity presented itself.
On April 13, Garcia met with the undercover FBI agent to discuss his mark and the client who hired the hitman services. The FBI agent presented Garcia with a “target package.” The package contained pictures along with a fake name for the target. It also included the target’s “weight, age, height, address, and employment information.”
The Arrest of a Guardsman
The hopeful hitman was informed the client was a domestic abuse victim who was willing to pay $5,000 to have her husband killed. Additionally, Garcia was informed the client would pay a down payment of $2,500, according to the complaint.
Moreover, Garcia agreed to the terms. Then he inquired if photographic proof was needed that the job was done. It was at that point the FBI arrested Garcia. Upon searching his home investigators “recovered an AR style rifle,” according to the Justice Department release.
The Air National Guardsman has been charged with the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. If convicted of attempting to be a hitman, Garcia could see up to 10 years in prison, stated the Justice Department.
Garcia is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CNN: Tennessee Air National Guardsman applied to be a hitman online, the FBI says. It was a spoof website and now he’s facing charges
USA Today: Air National Guardsman charged after applying to be a hitman for $5,000, feds say
Top and Featured Image by Master Sgt. David Eichake Courtesy of The National Guard‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Hunting Mark‘s Flickr Page – Creative Common License
