November 19, 2014

Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Federal Prison for Murder-for-Hire

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Edward Clinton Jones III, age 42, of Charleston, was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment for Use of Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire, 18 U.S.C. § 1958(a), and Solicitation of Murder for Hire, 18 U.S.C. § 373.

Jones pled guilty to the offenses on August 29, 2014. Facts set forth at his guilty plea and sentencing established that Jones solicited an individual to have his wife murdered so that Jones could collect the insurance proceeds from her death. This individual then went to the police, and an undercover officer was introduced to Jones. Jones then discussed details of having his wife killed with the undercover officer, and provided the undercover officer with a picture of his wife so they could properly identify her. Jones also discussed where his wife could be located, the type of vehicle she drove, where the murder could best be committed, and how he would divide the life insurance money with those he recruited to commit the murder.

Jones was sentenced by United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel. The convictions and sentences are the result of an investigation conducted by the City of Charleston Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.