Star City Man Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Scheme

LITTLE ROCK—Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced that Curt Franklin Lazelle, age 47, of Star City, Arkansas, was indicted February 2, 2011, by a federal grand jury for criminal charges relating to a murder-for-hire. The indictment stems from an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Little Rock, Arkansas and Monroe, Louisiana field offices, assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation spanned from about January 18, 2011, until Curt Franklin Lazelle’s arrest on January 19, 2011. While making the plans to murder the victim, Lazelle picked-up a cooperating witness and drove from Dallas, Texas to Crossett, Arkansas and left the witness there to carry out the plot. As part of the investigation, the witness made consensual telephone calls to Lazelle, who had driven on to Louisiana, to discuss a plan and specific details of how to kill and dispose of the victim. Investigators determined Lazelle was in a relationship with the intended victim’s wife and felt if the intended victim was killed, he would be able to have a unfettered, long-term relationship with the victim’s wife.

Curt Franklin Lazelle was arrested in Louisiana on a complaint and arrest warrant from the Eastern District of Arkansas on January 19, 2011. His initial appearance on the complaint was in the Western District of Louisiana on January 20, 2011.

The maximum statutory penalty for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire is not more than 10 years’ incarceration, and a $250,000 fine or both.

This investigation was conducted by agents from Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Walker.

An indictment contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.