**Dark Web Murder-for-Hire Mastermind Pleads Guilty**
Salt Lake City, UT – In a chilling case of greed and desperation, 23-year-old Krista Renae Stone of Salt Lake City has pleaded guilty to using the dark web to attempt to carry out a murder for hire in 2023 in the District of Utah.
According to court documents, Stone, who stands accused of using the internet to orchestrate the hit, began her twisted plan in March 2023 and continued to pursue it until September 2023. The would-be murder-for-hire mastermind used the dark web to engage with a website offering ‘hitman for hire’ services, ultimately ordering the killing of a victim for a staggering $5,000, paid in Bitcoin.
Stone’s detailed description of the intended victim, including a photograph, location, and preferred method of execution, left little doubt as to her intentions. This brazen and calculating approach to murder has left investigators and the community shaken.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah leading the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins made the announcement, highlighting the severity of the crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. As the nation grapples with the dark web’s role in fueling violent crime, this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of the internet.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and the community. By holding perpetrators like Stone accountable, we can work towards creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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