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.
-
Colts Cheerleader to sing national anthem at Sonsio Grand Prix
Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Allison Broadhurst will perform the national anthem before the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 9.
Hendricks County to hold listening sessions on property tax assessments
The Hendricks County Assessor’s Office will hold listening sessions throughout the month of May regarding property tax assessments.
Indy residents meet with city leaders for regulations on short-term rentals
More than a hundred people gathered at the Womack Memorial CME Church along with community leaders, including IMPD and Indianapolis Prosecutor Ryan Mears.
Ballard starts '100 Hoosiers, 100 Signatures' for Secretary of State campaign
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard needs about 37,000 verified signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot as an independent candidate.