Indiana Resident Gets 60 Years in Prison for Solicitation to Commit Murder and Attempted Murder

JACKSONVILLE, FL—U.S. Attorney Pamela C. Marsh announced the sentencing today of Robert Eugene Spiker, 45, of Marion, Indiana, by U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker. On January 17, 2014, Spiker pleaded guilty to two counts of solicitation to commit murder of a federal judge and an assistant United States attorney and one count of attempted murder of an assistant United States attorney. Spiker was sentenced today to a total of 60 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Spiker admitted that between March and April 2013, he made numerous written threats and devised a plan to murder an assistant United States attorney and a federal magistrate judge in Jacksonville, Florida. On separate occasions, Spiker attempted to solicit other individuals to kill the victims for payment or “in-kind” services. Spiker’s written threats and directives included his intention to attack the federal prosecutor in the courtroom. He also directed one assailant to kill the judge without regard to the presence of his family members: “If his family gets in the way, so be it.” Finally, on April 11, 2013, Spiker attempted to smuggle a metal “shank” into the courtroom for the purpose of murdering the federal prosecutor. Prior to his entry into the courtroom, Spiker was searched, and the weapon was confiscated.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Williams.