Fort Myers Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Murder-for-Hire Plot

A Fort Myers man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against a Florida gang, the Bucktown gang, in exchange for $10,000.

Marvin Harris, Jr., 25, aka "Mesh," was sentenced by United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire charges. His co-defendant, Latrel Jackson, 26, aka "Kobe," a Chicago resident, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2024, and faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment.

According to court documents, Harris, Jr. hired Jackson and an unindicted co-conspirator, D.S. (deceased), to travel from the Chicago area to Fort Myers in October 2019 to commit murder. Harris, Jr.’s motive was to retaliate against individuals he believed had robbed a Fort Myers residence from which he and others associated with him sold drugs.

With the agreement to retaliate against Bucktown in place, Jackson and D.S. traveled to Fort Myers and stayed at Harris, Jr.’s "trap house," a residence used primarily to distribute drugs. Harris, Jr. provided them with partial payment for the planned murder, as well as firearms to accomplish their task. Jackson and D.S. later moved to a local motel on Palm Beach Boulevard, where they attempted to find members of Bucktown to murder.

On November 2, 2019, Harris, Jr. obtained a vehicle for Jackson and D.S. to use during the commission of a murder. Jackson and D.S. proceeded to a known Bucktown hangout in Fort Myers and observed the victim, K.U., standing in front of the residence near the curb of the street. Jackson and D.S. quickly circled the block and, at close range, opened fire on K.U., killing him in front of the residence via a gunshot wound of the head.

After the shooting, Harris, Jr. paid Jackson and D.S. the remaining sum of money owed for completing the murder-for-hire scheme. Jackson and D.S. were also left in possession of the firearms used to commit the murder. Jackson and D.S. then returned to the Chicago area via commercial bus on November 3, 2019.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Myers Police Department, with the assistance of the Joliet (Illinois) Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Marvin Harris, Jr. will serve his 45-year sentence in a federal prison, a fitting punishment for the ruthless crime he orchestrated. The justice system has taken a significant step in reducing gang violence in Florida, and we will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.

The investigation and prosecution of this case highlight the importance of interagency cooperation and the commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence in our communities.

This case demonstrates the devastating consequences of gang violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The Fort Myers Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are commended for their tireless efforts in investigating and prosecuting this case.

The Department of Justice is committed to reducing violent crime and gun violence in our communities, and we will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to achieve this goal.

This case is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing gang violence and the need for continued support for law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce violent crime.