Nevada Woman Paid Hitman With Bitcoin

A shocking crime unfolded recently in Reno, Nevada, as Kristy Lynn Felkins, a 38-year-old woman, faced her sentence for attempting to hire a hitman over the internet. Felkins’ choice of payment? Bitcoin. Her target? None other than her ex-husband.

Felkins’ Dark Web Deal

In a dramatic courtroom scene, Felkins admitted to seeking out a contract killer on the dark web, a secretive part of the internet often linked to illegal activities. She planned to spend $5,000 worth of Bitcoin on her ex-husband’s life, intending for his demise to appear as a tragic accident.

Felkins struck a deal with federal prosecutors earlier in the year, pleading guilty to her murder-for-hire charge and avoiding the uncertainty of a trial. Court records reveal the agreement also outlined her post-prison life: Felkins must spend three years under official supervision after she completes her five-year prison term.

A Scam or a Serious Threat?

As Felkins began her grim search in 2016, she chose a dark website that promised to solve problems permanently—for a price. Her aim was to eliminate her ex-husband while he was living in Chico, California. However, the police later exposed the website as a hoax designed to cheat its customers out of their money.

Despite the site’s deceitful nature, Felkins’ intentions were very real. She admitted to her dangerous plan in a formal statement made as part of her plea agreement. She expressed her desire to pay an extra $4,000 to speed up the deadly process back in March 2016. Additionally, she made it clear that she wouldn’t mind if her ex-husband’s new girlfriend got caught up in the deadly scheme.

Profit from Death: A Disturbing Motive

Beyond her ill-will towards her ex-husband, Felkins had another reason for orchestrating his murder: money. After his death, she hoped to claim a large life insurance payout. In her statement, she revealed her wish for the murder to resemble an accident, asking whether the killing could look like a robbery gone wrong.

Bitcoin, Crypto, And Criminal Use

With her guilt established, a U.S. District Court judge in California delivered Felkins’ sentence last Thursday. Despite remaining free for the duration of the proceedings, she must surrender in September to start her prison sentence.

This shocking case underscores the growing concerns over the misuse of cryptocurrency and the dark web for criminal activities. It’s a stark reminder of the need for stringent regulation and monitoring of such platforms to protect public safety and prevent dangerous criminal undertakings.

Felkins’ crime has earned her five years behind bars and a further three years of supervised release, casting a long shadow over her life. The story acts as a grave warning about the severe consequences of resorting to such extreme, unlawful measures.