AKRON, Ohio — A 53-year-old man from Uniontown was sentenced Friday after previously pleading guilty to attempting to arrange a murder-for-hire plot.
Scott Renninger was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Adams to six years in prison. He is also being ordered to pay $17,250 in restitution.
“Engaging in a plot to kill or harm another is a threat to our way-of-life,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “This defendant went to great lengths in an attempt to facilitate the murder of an innocent person and now he will face the consequences of his actions.”
On Tuesday, June 21, Renninger pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
Back on Nov. 17, 2020, Renninger was arrested at his residence after being accused of a murder-for-hire plot. Court documents from October to November 2020 showed Renninger met with an individual who was posing as a "hitman" while discussing a reward of money in exchange for the murder of a victim. During their discussions, Renninger and the individual agreed upon $20,000 for the individual to murder the victim.
Renninger gave the individual a photograph of the would-be victim, their license plate information, and other detailed documents that included their address. The target, Renninger's ex-spouse, was unharmed in the scheme.
"Thwarting carefully crafted plots to carry out violent crimes are a priority of the FBI," said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. "The cold and callous nature of a scheming individual is a threat to not only the victim of the action, but also the community. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to find and investigate criminals or their network intent on causing harm to others."
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