Anahuac Man Guilty in Murder-For-Hire Plot

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 49 year-old Anahuac, Texas man has pleaded guilty in a murder-for-hire scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced United States Attorney John M. Bales today.

David Houston Sartin pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence today before U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, beginning in December 2011, Sartin made attempts to hire another person to kidnap an individual from Kiev, Ukraine and deliver the individual to Sartin in the United States where Sartin then intended to kill or have the individual killed. Sartin met with an undercover agent on Mar. 6, 2012 and paid the undercover agent a deposit of $25,000 with the promise of another $25,000.  Sartin was arrested in Beaumont, Texas on Mar. 23, 2012 while attempting to deliver the final $25,000. Sartin was also in possession of a handgun, a stun-gun and hand cuffs.  Sartin was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 18, 2012.

Sartin faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the kidnapping charge and a minimum of 5 years for the firearms violation.  A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers, Criminal Investigation Division, Aircraft Division, and the Highway Patrol Division; Beaumont Police Department; Chambers County Sheriff's Office; Houston Police Department and the Liberty County District Attorney's office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.