A US Army Sergeant and Brother Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot
An Army sergeant and his brother have been arrested for a failed murder-for-hire plot targeting four individuals, including two children. The elaborate scheme was orchestrated from inside a Connecticut jail, according to authorities.
Jeremiah Peikert, a 30-year-old service member, was apprehended in connection to the plot allegedly devised by his brother, Joshua Peikert, who was serving time at Corrigan Correctional Center in Uncasville in 2022, Connecticut State Police reported.
Joshua reportedly paid his cellmate a finder’s fee to hire someone to murder a 29-year-old woman, her 10-year-old and 1-year-old daughters, and her 23-year-old boyfriend.
The cellmate revealed that Joshua expressed his desire to have the four individuals killed shortly after being incarcerated. Joshua mentioned knowing individuals who would carry out the murders for $10,000 per person.
Joshua agreed to pay half of the amount upfront and the rest upon completion of the job. He provided the names, addresses, and even a spare key location of the targeted individuals.
The cellmate claimed Joshua paid him a $500 finder’s fee, with $250 given upfront through Jeremiah. Joshua used coded language like “construction job” and “materials” to discuss the murders.
After being released on bail, Joshua inquired about the progress of the murders using coded language. However, he was arrested again soon after.
The cellmate eventually sent a letter to the woman, exposing the murder-for-hire plot and prompting a police investigation. He also informed the police that Joshua had targeted him as well.
Investigations revealed that Joshua contacted his brother, Jeremiah, for financial assistance to carry out the plan. Numerous conversations between Joshua, Jeremiah, and the cellmate were discovered, alluding to the crime.
During an interview with authorities in Texas, Jeremiah admitted to transferring money to an inmate’s account at his brother’s request. He claimed he was unaware of the specifics but knew the money was meant to harm the woman.
Jeremiah expressed reluctance but sent the money under pressure from his brother and the cellmate, who assured him the job would be completed in two weeks.
Jeremiah described his brother as having violent tendencies and being manipulative. He was extradited to Connecticut and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to minors, with a $500,000 bond.
Joshua faces the same charges and is currently held at the Connecticut Department of Correction.
