Related Federal Cases
- John Doe, Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Washington DC, 2021 · California
- John East, Capitol Assault with Weapon, Washington D.C., 2021 · Texas
- Eric Richard Bruns, Assault on Flight Crew, Juneau AK, 2023 · Alaska
- Christian Matthew Manley, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington D…. · Washington
- Marc Hetsler, Fear Assault, Anchorage AK, 2023 · Alaska
Former Spokane Doctor Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Kidnapping Scheme
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – January 24, 2023
Ronald Craig Ilg, a 56-year-old former neonatologist from Spokane, Washington, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for hiring dark web hitmen to kidnap and assault multiple victims.
According to court documents, Ilg used the moniker ‘Scar215’ and password ‘Mufassa$$’ to conceal his identity as he transmitted dozens of messages on the dark web in early 2021. He paid more than $60,000 in Bitcoin to the purported hitmen to carry out the crimes.
The first victim, a Spokane-area doctor, was targeted by Ilg, who directed the hitmen to injure both hands significantly or break them. Ilg also solicited the hitmen to kidnap his estranged wife, injecting her with heroin to drop divorce proceedings.
Ilg’s crimes were further complicated by his obstruction of justice. He falsely claimed to the FBI that he paid the hitmen to kill him, rather than his victims. He also sent a letter to a key witness, begging her to marry him and threatening to destroy evidence if she didn’t comply.
Senior United States District Judge William Fremming Nielsen described Ilg’s conduct as ‘really egregious, and even evil.’ In addition to the 8-year prison sentence, Ilg was ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution and a $100,000 fine.
Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated, ‘This case demonstrates how violent offenders exploit cyberspace and cryptocurrency to further their criminal agendas.’
Defendant: Ronald Craig Ilg
Criminal Charges: Hiring hitmen on the dark web to kidnap and assault multiple victims
City and State: Spokane, Washington
Exact Date: January 24, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: 96 months in federal prison, $100,000 fine, $25,000 restitution
Dollar Amounts: $60,000 in Bitcoin paid to hitmen, $25,000 restitution, $100,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
