SHELBYVILLE — A Shelbyville man will spend more than 43 years in prison after pleading guilty to two courts of murder for hire, witness tampering, illegally possessing a firearm and producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
This story begins with Robert Mason Elliott, 28, meeting a 16-year-old girl in 2017.
Eventually, Elliott was charged with domestic battery involving the teen and later dealing narcotics and producing and distributing child sex abuse material of he girl, according to court documents.
While in jail on those charges, in February 2018, Elliott called his mother and told her to hire a hitman – specifically from the motorcycle club Hells Angels—to kill or injure the girl to stop her from testifying against him.
As his mother attempted to hire a member of Hells Angels, authorities stopped the plan, according to court documents.
After this, Elliott attempted to hire inmates within the Shelby County Jail by offering $5,000 to kill the girl and her mother, according to court documents. Multiple inmates told police of these discussions.
In May 2019, Elliott reached out to a “hitman” from the “cartel” and offered military-grade weapons, a motorcycle and more if he fulfilled the hit on the girl and her mother, according to court documents.
Little to Elliott’s knowledge – the “hitman” was an undercover federal agent.
In June, Elliott pleaded guilty and this week he was sentenced to 520 months in prison.
“The defendant’s heinous, violent crimes demonstrate an utter disrespect for the law or the value of human life,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
-
Judge rules in favor of St. Philip Neri over the city of Indianapolis
The city of Indianapolis' motion to dismiss a religious freedom lawsuit filed by St. Philip Neri Catholic Church over the historic designation of Holy Cross Church has been denied.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools to lay off 18 teachers amid enrollment decline
Hamilton Southeastern Schools will lay off 18 teachers as part of a reduction-in-force (RIF) process, Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley announced in a letter to families Monday.
'Your favorite cousin' Desi Banks is bringing his comedy tour to Indianapolis
Comedian Desi Banks is bringing his "Your Favorite Cousin Tour" to Egyptian Room at Old National Centre on Nov. 13.
IndyCar updates Push to Pass guidelines to give drivers expanded access
IndyCar announced Tuesday it has updated its Push to Pass system usage rules for both the IndyCar and INDY NXT series, now allowing drivers to use the system under a few conditions.
