Jurors have convicted Moreion Lindsey, a resident of St. Louis County, Missouri, for his involvement in the murder-for-hire of Titus Armstead in 2022. The verdict was reached on Thursday after a trial that began earlier in the week.
Lindsey, aged 35, faced charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Lindsey fatally shot Armstead on April 21, 2022, at Penrose Park in St. Louis. He was hired by Jerome Williams at the request of Ray Bradley from New Jersey. Bradley was involved in trafficking cocaine and marijuana to various cities, including St. Louis.
Armstead's role involved counting drug proceeds and overseeing Bradley’s stash house. However, he was blamed by Bradley for a theft involving drugs and millions of dollars in cash from the house. Consequently, Bradley arranged for Armstead to travel to St. Louis under the pretense of protection but with intentions orchestrated by Williams to eliminate him.
Upon Armstead's arrival at the airport around 9:15 p.m., Lindsey drove him directly to Penrose Park where he executed him using a .45-caliber handgun. Lindsey documented the act by taking a photo of Armstead's body with a prepaid phone as proof for Williams and Bradley.
For his part in the crime, Lindsey received $15,000 from Williams who also destroyed evidence including the burner phone and Armstead’s personal items like his Social Security card. Additionally, Lindsey reported the SUV used during the crime as stolen and subsequently purchased a Chevrolet Suburban with part of his payment.
Sentencing for Lindsey is scheduled for April 24 and carries a mandatory life sentence due to the nature of his crimes.
In related proceedings, Ray Bradley pleaded guilty in June at U.S. District Court in St. Louis to similar charges and received a 25-year prison sentence in September. Jerome Williams admitted guilt in December concerning destruction of evidence aimed at obstructing federal investigation efforts.
The investigation into this case was conducted collaboratively by the FBI, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and Atlanta Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angie Danis, Ryan Finlen, and Nathan Chapman.