Introduction
Those who solicit murder face severe federal penalties regardless of whether the murder actually occurs. Federal law treats the decision to hire a killer as a completed crime—the solicitation itself carries a potential 10-year sentence, with life imprisonment or death possible if someone dies.
Court documents reveal how federal prosecutors and judges approach these cases, what factors influence sentencing, and why perpetrators consistently receive substantial prison terms.
For comprehensive coverage of murder-for-hire cases, see our complete guide to murder-for-hire investigations.
A note on approach: This content examines sentencing consequences to demonstrate the certainty of punishment—not to provide planning guidance. Understanding penalties reinforces why these crimes result in severe consequences regardless of outcome.
The Federal Statute
18 U.S.C. § 1958: Murder-for-Hire
The primary federal statute addresses:
What it prohibits:
Traveling in or causing another to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or using any facility of interstate commerce, with intent that murder be committed as consideration for payment.
Jurisdictional hooks:
- Interstate travel
- Use of telephone (interstate facility)
- Use of internet (interstate facility)
- Use of mail
- Any facility of interstate commerce
Penalties:
- If death does not result: Not more than 10 years
- If personal injury results: Not more than 20 years
- If death results: Death or imprisonment for life
Why Federal Jurisdiction Is Common
Almost any murder-for-hire plot triggers federal jurisdiction:
- Phone call discussing the plot = interstate commerce
- Text message or email = interstate commerce
- Traveling to meet the “hitman” = interstate travel
- Payment through banking system = interstate commerce
The statute’s broad reach means federal prosecutors can pursue nearly every murder-for-hire case they choose.
Sentencing Framework
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
How guidelines calculate sentences:
Base offense level:
- Solicitation of murder: Base level 32 (or higher depending on circumstances)
- Attempted murder: Base level 33
- If murder occurs: Potentially life or death
Adjustments:
- Role in offense (leader = increase)
- Vulnerable victim (+2)
- Official victim (+3 to +6)
- Obstruction of justice (+2)
- Acceptance of responsibility (-2 to -3)
Criminal history:
- Points based on prior convictions
- Category I (no history) to VI (extensive history)
- Higher category = longer sentence
Calculating the Range
Example calculation from court documents:
Starting point: Base offense level 32
Adjustments:
- Role as organizer: +4
- Acceptance of responsibility: -3
- Total offense level: 33
Criminal history: Category I (no prior convictions)
Guideline range: 135-168 months (roughly 11-14 years)
Beyond Guidelines
Judges may sentence above or below guidelines considering:
- Nature and circumstances of offense
- History and characteristics of defendant
- Need for sentence to reflect seriousness
- Deterrence
- Protection of public
- Rehabilitation needs
What Courts Consider
Aggravating Factors
From sentencing documents, factors that increase sentences:
Planning and deliberation:
- Extended planning period
- Multiple attempts to find a hitman
- Research into methods
- Backup plans
Financial motivation:
- Insurance payout sought
- Inheritance acceleration
- Business interest
- Avoiding financial obligations
Relationship betrayal:
- Targeting spouse
- Targeting family member
- Targeting business partner
- Position of trust violated
Persistence:
- Continued after initial failure
- Multiple hitman contacts
- Undetected until advanced stages
Mitigating Factors
Factors that may reduce sentences:
Personal circumstances:
- Mental health issues
- Substance abuse
- Coercion or pressure
- Age
Case-specific:
- Immediate acceptance of responsibility
- Cooperation with authorities
- No actual harm occurred
- Genuine remorse
History:
- No prior criminal record
- Community involvement
- Family responsibilities
- Employment history
Actual Sentences
What Court Records Show
From cases we’ve covered:
Typical range for completed solicitation (no death):
- 5-15 years common
- Sentences near top of guidelines for aggravated cases
- Below-guidelines sentences rare but possible
Factors in actual sentences:
Higher sentences when:
- Financial motive
- Spousal victim
- Extended planning
- Multiple solicitation attempts
- Trial conviction (no acceptance of responsibility)
Lower sentences when:
- Guilty plea with cooperation
- Mental health contributions
- First offense
- Scheme ended early
Case Examples
They Were Hiking Friends: Demonstrates factors courts consider in spousal solicitation cases.
Wrong Target Again and Again: Shows how multiple failed attempts affect sentencing.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Additional Consequences
Beyond Prison
Murder-for-hire convictions carry consequences beyond incarceration:
Supervised release:
- 3-5 years following prison
- Restrictions on contact, travel, activities
- Violation can result in additional prison time
Restitution:
- Victim counseling costs
- Security measures
- Other documented losses
Collateral consequences:
- Felony conviction record
- Loss of professional licenses
- Immigration consequences
- Firearms prohibition
Civil Consequences
Criminal conviction doesn’t prevent:
- Victim civil lawsuits
- Insurance policy challenges
- Divorce proceedings impact
- Custody determinations
Conspiracy vs. Solicitation
Understanding the Difference
Solicitation (§ 1958):
- Asking someone to commit murder
- Using interstate facilities
- No agreement needed from other party
- Crime complete upon asking
Conspiracy (§ 371 or § 1117):
- Agreement between two or more people
- To commit crime
- Overt act in furtherance
- Requires meeting of minds
Why Both May Apply
Perpetrators often charged with both:
- Solicitation captures the initial request
- Conspiracy captures the agreement
- Multiple counts allow consecutive sentences
- Provides prosecution flexibility
The Certainty of Consequences
Why Sentences Are Severe
Court documents consistently reflect:
Judicial reasoning:
- Planning demonstrates deliberation, not impulse
- Targeting specific victim shows intent
- Willingness to pay shows commitment
- Only intervention prevented actual murder
Public policy:
- Deterrence requires certain, severe punishment
- Society’s most fundamental protection (life) at stake
- No lesser offense adequately addresses conduct
- Victim protection requires perpetrator incapacitation
The Message from Courts
Sentencing opinions consistently state:
- Murder-for-hire cannot be tolerated
- Sentences must reflect gravity of intent
- Actual completion is beside the point
- The decision to solicit murder is itself the crime
Related Content
- Murder-for-Hire: Inside Contract Killing Investigations — Complete hub page
- When Murder-for-Hire Goes Wrong — Why plots fail
- Undercover Operations in Murder-for-Hire Cases — Investigation methods
