Josiah Ernesto Garcia, a 21-year-old resident of Tennessee, made headlines in April 2023 after being arrested for allegedly attempting to become a hitman through a parody website.
According to reports, Garcia came across the website rentahitman.com while searching for contract mercenary jobs to support his family.
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Who is Josiah Ernesto Garcia?
Garcia’s background and personal life remain largely unknown, aside from the fact that he has been employed in the Air National Guard since July 2021. It is unclear what motivated him to pursue a career as a hitman or whether he had any prior experience or training in such a field.
According to the criminal complaint, Garcia submitted identification documents, a resume, and even a headshot in his application to the parody website. He also allegedly claimed to be an expert marksman, earning him the nickname ‘Reaper’.
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Despite the site’s obvious lack of legitimacy, Garcia continued to follow up for about a month, even submitting his home address and agreeing to kill someone for $5,000 in a conversation with an undercover FBI agent. Garcia’s arrest and subsequent charges of solicitation to commit murder have undoubtedly had significant consequences for his personal and professional life.
As a member of the Air National Guard, Garcia is subject to military law and could potentially face disciplinary action or discharge from the service. Additionally, if he is found guilty of the charges against him, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.
“On Wednesday, Garcia met the undercover agent at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and was provided with a target packet of a fictional individual, which included photographs and other information about the individual to be killed, and a down payment of $2,500,” the U.S. attorney’s office said.
“After agreeing to the terms of the murder arrangement, Garcia asked the agent if he needed to provide a photograph of the dead body. Garcia was then arrested by FBI agents, who in a subsequent search of his home, recovered an AR style rifle,” it added.
