SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 3, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A Salt Lake City woman has pleaded guilty to using the dark web to attempt to arrange a murder-for-hire in Utah.
According to court documents, Krista Renae Stone, 23, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty last week “to use of interstate commerce facilities in commission of murder-for-hire.”
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that uses encryption to keep users’ identities and locations private. It’s not accessible through traditional search engines, such as Google or browsers like Chrome and Safari, and requires special browsers for access, according to Investopedia.
“Beginning in March 2023 and continuing through September 2023, Stone used the internet, specifically the dark web, with the intent to murder another person,” says a news release issued by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah.
“In return for the murder, Stone agreed to pay money. Stone further admitted she engaged with a website offering ‘hitman for hire’ type services and ‘ordered’ the killing of the victim for $5,000 using Bitcoin to complete the order.
“Stone included a detailed description of the victim, including a photograph, where the victim was located, and how she wanted the job done.”
Stone is scheduled to be sentenced July 15 of this year before a U.S. District Court Judge at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
