A Tennessee National Guardsman was taken into custody this week after he applied for an assassin job on a bogus website.
According to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office Middle District of Tennessee, 21-year-old Josiah Ernesto Garcia submitted the employment inquiry back in February, when he began looking for extra income to support his family. Authorities say the man specifically sought mercenary jobs and eventually came across RentAHitman.com—a parody site “that contains false testimonials from those who have purported to use hitman services, and an intake form where people can request services.”
Garcia allegedly responded to a murder-for-hire request posted on the website, and ultimately submitted identification documents as well as a resume, which touted his military experience and marksmanship.
“I’m looking for a job, that pays well, related to my military experience (Shooting and Killing the marked target) so I can support my kid on the way,” Garcia allegedly wrote in one email, according to a criminal complaint. “What can I say, I enjoy doing what I do, so if I can find a job that is similar to it, (such as this one) put me in coach!”
The DA’s office says the man was unknowingly communicating with an FBI agent, who asked him to kill someone for $5,000. Garcia reportedly met with the agent on Wednesday at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The agent then gave the wannabe hitman a packet that contained photographs and information about the fictional target. After he was given a $2,500 down payment, Garcia allegedly asked the agent if he needed to provide photographic evidence of the kill. He was then arrested by FBI agents.
Garcia has since been charged with the use of interstate facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. If he’s found guilty, he could spend up to 10 years behind bars.
