Soldier pleads guilty in murder-for-hire scheme

[unhappycamper]

Soldier pleads guilty in murder-for-hire scheme
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 10, 2009 5:49:39 EST

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A soldier pleaded guilty on Monday to plotting with two women to kill his wife in order to collect from a life insurance policy.

Michael Andrew Crawford, 26, entered his plea to conspiracy and use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said in a news release.

Crawford, who was on active duty in South Korea, was accused of discussing with Tonia Mullins the possibility of killing his wife in order to collect on a $250,000 life insurance policy, prosecutors said. Killing her also would ensure Crawford could maintain custody of the couple’s young daughter, authorities said.

The murder plot was not carried out.

“Mullins and Crawford intended to buy a house together with $250,000 they anticipated collecting from the victim’s life insurance policy,” Sperling said. “... During a series of phone calls and text messages, it became evident that Michael Crawford’s aunt, Regina Hercules, was also involved in the scheme to kill the victim.”


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_soldier_convicted_021009/%2e