DEA Foils Murder-For-Hire Plot
The U.S. Attorney and Drug Enforcement Administration has charged several men for conspiracy of drug trafficking and /or murder-for-hire plot.
Those arrested are Colorado residents Kevin Corley, 29, Samuel Walker, 28 and Shaver Davis, 29 as well as South Carolina residents Marcus Mickle, 20, Calvin Epps, 26, and Mario Corley, 40 of Texas.
An undercover sting by DEA agents posing as members of Lot Zetas Cartel snagged Mickle and Epps who told the agents they knew of someone who could provide military weapons. Corley was then introduced to the agents and he claimed to be an active duty officer in the Army and could provide training for cartel members. Over the next several months Corley communicated with the agents telling them he could provide them with access to information and equipment since he was an active duty soldier.
Corley later agreed to a murder-for-hire plot with the agents by raiding a ranch in Texas and recovering 20 kilograms of cocaine while making the contract killing in exchange for $50,000 and five kilograms of cocaine. He also offered to refund the money if the victim survived. Corley then arraigned hundreds of pounds of marijuana to be delivered in South Carolina and to provide the security for the transaction to protect Mickle and Epps. A short time later Corley delivered two AR-15 assault rifles with scopes, stolen ballistic vests and other equipment to an undercover agent for $10,000.
Corley, Walker and Davis met with undercover agents to discuss the final preparation of the contract killing and retrieval of the cocaine. They were arrested at that time and a fourth member of their gang was killed.
Corley, Mickle and Epps were charged for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and could face 40 years in prison if convicted. Corley, Walker and Davis have not yet been sentenced but have been remanded to federal custody pending further procedures.
