A Montana man has been found guilty by a federal jury on numerous charges, including murder-for-hire conspiracy, linked to a large-scale marijuana distribution case in Nevada, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Cory Spurlock, alongside co-conspirators including Will Larsen, was involved in the illegal operation based in Mound House, Nevada.
The case unraveled following the 2020 disappearance of Jered Stefansky, who vanished after journeying to Mound House to collect a substantial cash payment from a marijuana deal. The last call he made was to a phone number linked to Spurlock, which thereafter identified him as a person of interest. After an arduous search, Stefansky's skeletal remains were eventually discovered in March 2021 at Rye Patch Recreation Area in Pershing County, Nevada. Following the airing of a podcast in which Stefansky's mother discussed her son's disappearance and the nefarious orbit in which he found himself, including both Larsen and Spurlock, Spurlock believed Larsen was a snitch and enlisted a co-conspirator to assist in his murder, traveling between Nevada and California in the grim pursuit. This culminated in the slaying of Larsen and his wife, their remains discarded by the side of US Highway 395, in a crime for which Spurlock also robbed the deceased Larsen of money.
"This conviction reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the devastating loss of lives," Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division stated in the announcement made by the U.S. Department of Justice; this complex investigation was a multi-agency effort including federal, state, and local partners. In a trial that lasted four weeks, the jury took only a day and a half to return guilty verdicts against Spurlock on numerous counts, including marijuana trafficking, murder-for-hire, tampering with a witness, and causing death through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
United States District Judge Miranda Du has set Spurlock's sentencing for December 16, with a maximum potential life sentence on the table. The case, part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation, shows law enforcement’s determination to take down major criminal networks that threaten communities. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Penelope Brady are leading the prosecution, demonstrating the legal system’s commitment to fighting violent crime.
