Josiah Ernesto Garcia, a 23-year-old Air National Guardsman from Toledo, Ohio, previously residing in Hermitage, Tennessee, has entered a plea of guilty to federal murder-for-hire charges, as confirmed by U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. Garcia was ensnared after contacting an FBI undercover agent to finalize arrangements for committing a murder in exchange for payment, an act which ultimately revealed his desperate measures to provide for his family. According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's office, Garcia admitted to his role in the plot that contemplated using interstate commerce facilities in executing the crime.
It all began in mid-February 2023 when Garcia went online looking for mercenary work and stumbled across the satirical website www.rentahitman.com. What initially emerged as a hub for cyber security services had transformed over the years into a parody platform, replete with phony testimonials and a submission form for those under the delusion that they could discreetly hire an assassin; Garcia saw an opportunity to enlist as a hired hand claiming his "military experience, and rifle expertise." In what appears to be a desperate bid to start earning, Garcia persisted in his communication with the website administrator, supplying further personal identification and a resume detailing his military tenure and marksmanship skills—he was even known by the moniker “Reaper,” a nickname birthed from his military prowess and sharpshooting abilities the website's facade was penetrable and it led to a series of discussions with an undercover agent.
The FBI agent engaged Garcia via a telephone conversation and later in a face-to-face meeting, during which both interactions were recorded as evidence. The meeting took place at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where the agent furnished Garcia with a false target packet and a $2,500 down payment to seal their nefarious deal. "Garcia asked the agent if he needed to provide a photograph of the dead body," shortly before he was arrested and subsequently an AR style rifle was discovered at his home by FBI agents during a search; confirming the gravity of his intentions.
With sentencing scheduled for February 7, 2025, Garcia now faces the possibility of spending a decade in prison. This case was thoroughly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Nashville Resident Agency from the Memphis Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke K. Schiferle.
