Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
FLINT — Reginald L. Hunter, 27, of Mobile, Alabama pleaded guilty before U. S. District Court Judge Kay F. Behm for his role in traveling to Michigan in a murder-for-hire scheme, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Ison was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Detroit Field Division, and Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Detroit Field Office.
According to court documents, on February 7, 2022, an individual identified as Person-1 solicited Hunter and his co-defendant Julius K. Jordan to travel from Alabama to Flint, Michigan, to murder someone in exchange for money. That individual sent money to Hunter and Jordan to travel to Michigan. Once Jordan and Hunter arrived in Michigan, they met with Person-1 who provided Jordan and Hunter with assault rifles. They later began looking for the individual who they were hired to kill.
On the evening of February 15, 2022, as Jordan and Hunter drove through a neighborhood looking for their intended victim, Jordan failed to stop at a stop sign. Michigan State Police troopers saw Jordan commit the traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, the troopers saw the assault rifles in the car. The troopers seized a short barrel, semi-automatic rifle with a collapsible stock from the floorboard near Jordan’s feet. They also seized another semi-automatic rifle from the front passenger floorboard near Hunter’s feet. Both rifles were loaded with chambered rounds and high-capacity magazines.
Jordan previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. Hunter is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2024. The investigation of Person-1 remains ongoing.
“These defendants were hired guns who agreed to end someone’s life for money, but the outstanding work of the Michigan State Police undoubtedly saved a life,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will continue to focus our efforts on those driving violence in our community, including those near and those who elect to enter our community to commit violent acts.”
“This case represents a tale as old as time – choices have consequences. Hunter pleaded guilty to a choice he made to come up to Michigan from Alabama to murder someone. Now, he will have many years to reflect about his life choices behind bars. The message is simple – if you commit gun crime in Michigan, expect to pack your bags for prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Deir.
“The thwarted murder-for-hire plot in this case underscores the significance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the citizens in our community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Had it not been for the combined efforts of the ATF, Michigan State Police, and Flint Police Department working together as part of the Genesee County Safe Streets Task Force, the consequences could have been far more catastrophic. The FBI is committed to investigating violent crimes such as this and we remain steadfast in our goal of making Michigan’s streets safer for everyone.”
This investigation was conducted by troopers of the Michigan State Police and special agents of the ATF’s Flint Field Office and the FBI’s Flint Resident Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jules M. DePorre and Anthony P. Vance.