POCATELLO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

POCATELLO – DeAnn Parkin, 31, of Ovid, Idaho, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for soliciting murder, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

According to court records, on May 23, 2023, special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received a tip from a reliable source regarding an individual, DeAnn Parkin, attempting to hire a hitman through a parody website.  Parkin, motivated by personal grievances, sought the murder of the intended victim, providing detailed information about that victim and expressing urgency in email exchanges from May 14 to May 22, 2023.  Undercover operations began on May 23, with an undercover agent introducing himself to Parkin as a hitman.  The undercover agent communicated with Parkin through text messages and calls.  Over several days, Parkin persistently and unequivocally conveyed her desire for the murder to be carried out.  The undercover operation culminated with an in-person meeting in Ovid on June 6, 2023, where Parkin provided the undercover agent a $100 down payment, a diamond ring, and an agreement for future payments.  Parkin was arrested after the payment occurred.

“While the defendant’s scheme to arrange a murder is shocking, it should not be surprising that law enforcement—in this case the ATF—was in a position to stop it,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.  “Along with our partners, we will continue to hold violent offenders accountable, regardless of the nature of their criminal conduct.”

“The act of murder is in itself a heinous crime,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais.  “But the act of attempting to hire someone to commit murder is that much more egregious.  When ATF learns of a murder for hire plot, we will do all we can to thwart these nefarious plans.”

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Parkin to be placed on supervised release for three years following her prison sentence.  Parkin pleaded guilty to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire on January 9, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit applauded the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work on the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted the case.

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