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Pair Charged in Bizarre Murder-for-Hire Scheme
A pair of men have been slapped with additional charges in connection with a murder-for-hire scheme that left one victim dead in the Keystone State. Edward McLaughlin, a convicted felon from Florida, and Gary Williams, a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania, are facing a laundry list of serious crimes, including conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and unlawful shipping of a firearm.
According to investigators, McLaughlin allegedly conspired with Williams to murder his ex-wife. The sinister plot was allegedly hatched in 2012, with both men working together to carry out the heinous crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scranton Police Department conducted a joint investigation, which led to the indictment of both McLaughlin and Williams.
McLaughlin, 48, was originally indicted in July 2012, but new evidence has brought additional charges against the pair. Williams, 55, is facing a range of charges, including conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and receiving a firearm with the intent to commit a felony offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa. McLaughlin and Williams are both facing a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The cases are assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo.
Both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, the defendants face a number of serious penalties, including a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines will be taken into consideration when determining the sentence.
The cases are a stark reminder of the dangers of murder-for-hire schemes and the importance of vigilant law enforcement. The FBI and the Scranton Police Department are to be commended for their tireless efforts in bringing these individuals to justice.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Edward McLaughlin
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, unlawful shipping of a firearm, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, unlawful transferring of a firearm, unlawful shipping of a firearm to commit a felony offense, and unlawfully transporting a firearm in interstate commerce.
City and State: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Exact Date: July 2012
Sentence or Outcome: Pending trial
Dollar Amounts: N/A
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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