(NewsSpace.com) – Many people fall out with each other every day, but rarely does it turn criminal. One man, who no longer wanted a woman in his life, sought to hire a killer. The person with whom he discussed the alleged plot tipped off the victim. Now, a pair of brothers are facing charges of plotting to have four people, including two children, murdered.
The Details
While incarcerated at Corrigan Correctional Center in 2022, 31-year-old Joshua Peikert reportedly told another inmate he wanted a family murdered. His cellmate, who remains unnamed, said he knew someone who could make that happen.
From there, Joshua went into significant detail about the intended victims’ home. He drew out a map of the layout and told his fellow inmate where the spare key was hidden and where the victims slept. Joshua said he wanted a 29-year-old female, a 23-year-old male, and two children, ages 1 and 10, murdered.
Joshua was reportedly to pay $10,000 per victim, and compensate his cellmate a $250 finder fee. He enlisted his brother, 30-year-old Sgt. Jeremiah Peikert, to help and pay the $250, which he did. However, instead of finding a hitman, the inmate wrote a letter to the victim, telling her of Joshua’s plot.
Police Investigation and Arrest
When the victim received the letter detailing the alleged plot in October 2022, she immediately went to the police, who began investigating. From there, they interviewed the inmate, who served as a witness. He told them, “At no time did I have any intention of hiring a hitman or committing any violence,” but did confirm that he asked for $250.
Police then pulled phone records and listened to conversations between Joshua and Jeremiah about payment. Authorities also interviewed Joshua’s brother, Jeremiah, who admitted that he paid Joshua’s cellmate $250 and felt pressured into it.
Jeremiah also admitted to the police that he knew the money was intended as payment to hurt the woman in question, though he denied knowing children were involved. Jeremiah told police that his brother “displayed violent tendencies” from youth and was a pro at manipulating people, including him.
Joshua was arrested on April 1, and Jeremiah was taken into custody on May 2 in Texas as a fugitive from justice. The latter is waiting for extradition to Connecticut. Both brothers were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to minors.
Jeremiah remains in custody on a $500,000 bond, while Joshua is currently in custody on a prior conviction.
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