Edward McLaughlin, Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy, Florida 2012

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Florida Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy

A former Florida resident, Edward McLaughlin, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire conspiracy. McLaughlin, 65, was found guilty of conspiring with Gary Williams, a Scranton man, to murder McLaughlin’s ex-wife.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, McLaughlin and Williams began their plot while they were cellmates at the Pike County Prison in June 2011. The conspiracy continued until June 2012, during which time McLaughlin shipped a German Mauser rifle and ammunition from Florida to Williams in Scranton.

The two used the mail and telephones to plan and attempt to carry out the murder. McLaughlin pleaded guilty to three crimes related to the interstate murder-for-hire scheme: conspiracy to use interstate facilities to commit a murder-for-hire, carrying and possessing a firearm in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence, and unlawfully shipping a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce as a convicted felon.

The charges against McLaughlin resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Scranton Police Department. Judge A. Richard Caputo sentenced McLaughlin to 20 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. McLaughlin was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $300 and $2,200 in restitution.

This is not the first time McLaughlin’s co-defendant, Gary Williams, has faced consequences for his role in the murder-for-hire scheme. Williams was previously convicted by a jury of five counts related to the plot and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case, bringing justice to the victims and their families. The case serves as a reminder of the seriousness of murder-for-hire conspiracies and the consequences that come with such crimes.

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