A woman from Coal Valley, Illinois, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for her involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme. Autumn Jeanine Carianna Markley, 30, attempted to arrange the crime by transferring money through Western Union. Court documents reveal that Markley communicated with a confidential source in the Southern District of Iowa from her residence in Colorado, expressing her intent to pay for the murder of a relative. She provided the source with details such as the target's name and address and made a downpayment.
Following her imprisonment, Markley will undergo three years of supervised release. The federal system does not offer parole options.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and enhance community safety through collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program focuses on fostering trust, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
For further details on Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.