Ashton Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Resulting In Death, Firearms Charge In St. George, Utah 2010

Ashton Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Resulting In Death, Firearms Charge In St. George, Utah. Paul Ashton, a 34-year-old man from St. George, Utah, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death – aiding and abetting and discharging a firearm – aiding and abetting in relation to a crime of violence.

The crime took place on October 31, 2010, when Bradley Eitner, a 43-year-old man, was kidnapped and later killed. Ashton, along with an accomplice, transported Eitner from Utah to Arizona, where he was shot twice with a rifle and left hidden in a rock crevice.

As part of the plea agreement, Ashton admitted to carrying Eitner off his couch, banging his head against the door frame, and slamming the tailgate against his head. He also admitted to stopping the truck, retrieving a rock, and striking Eitner in the head with it.

Ashton’s accomplice then shot Eitner twice with a rifle, and they left him hidden in a rock crevice. Eitner’s body was discovered on March 11, 2011, and an autopsy determined that the cause of death was blunt force head trauma and a single penetrating gunshot wound.

As part of the plea agreement, federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a life sentence in prison for the kidnapping resulting in death count and a 10-year sentence for the firearm charge, to be served consecutively. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigated by the FBI.

Defendant: Paul Ashton, Real full name.

Criminal charges: Kidnapping resulting in death – aiding and abetting and discharging a firearm – aiding and abetting in relation to a crime of violence.

City and state: St. George, Utah.

Exact date: October 31, 2010.

Sentence or outcome: Life sentence in prison for the kidnapping resulting in death count and a 10-year sentence for the firearm charge, to be served consecutively.

Dollar amounts: None.

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