Gary Williams, Conspiracy to Commit Murder-for-Hire, Pennsylvania 2012

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Murder-for-Hire Schemes Crumble in Scranton

SCRANTON—A tangled web of deceit and violence has come to an end for two men who played key roles in a murder-for-hire scheme in the Scranton area in 2011-2012.

Gary Williams, 48, formerly of Scranton, and Edward McLaughlin, 67, who previously resided in Florida, were found guilty of their involvement in the scheme. Williams was convicted of conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, unlawful receipt of a firearm in interstate commerce, unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and attempting to corruptly persuade a witness to influence testimony in an official proceeding.

The scheme, which was uncovered after Williams was arrested by Scranton Police in a domestic violence incident, involved McLaughlin soliciting Williams to kill his ex-wife. The plan was to use a rifle and bullets shipped from Florida to Scranton to carry out the murder. However, the plot unraveled when police and FBI agents found the rifle and other evidence linking the two men to the crime.

Williams was sentenced to 35 years in prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo. McLaughlin, who pleaded guilty on the day of his scheduled trial, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Both men appealed their convictions, but their claims were rejected by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Court of Appeals ruled that the evidence against Williams was properly admitted and that the applicable sentencing guidelines were accurately calculated. McLaughlin’s claims, including that his counsel was ineffective and that the government induced his plea with a false promise, were also rejected. The court found that McLaughlin’s guilty plea was knowing and voluntary.

The investigation into the murder-for-hire scheme was conducted by the FBI and Scranton Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuting the cases and handling the appeals. The convictions and sentences of Williams and McLaughlin serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent and deceitful behavior.

Williams and McLaughlin were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2012, marking the beginning of the end of their involvement in the murder-for-hire scheme. The case is a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in bringing justice to victims of crime.