Woman Who Used the Dark Web to Commit a Murder-for-Hire to Kill an Ex-Boyfriend’s New Girlfriend is Sentenced to Federal Prison

Salt Lake City, Utah – A Utah woman who attempted to commit murder-for-hire by using the dark web was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment today after she engaged in a murder for hire scheme. 

“I am very troubled by this case,” said Senior U.S. District Court Judge David Sam, who went on to express his deep appreciation to law enforcement for their hard work in this case. “As a result of all that work, a life was saved,” said Judge Sam. 

Krista Renae Stone, 23, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced Monday morning after she pleaded guilty in May 2024 to the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. In addition to her term of imprisonment, Stone was sentenced to three years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea and sentencing hearing, beginning in March 2023 and continuing through September 2023, Stone used the internet, specifically the dark web, with the intent to murder an ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend. 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, the victim’s location, and how she wanted the murder committed. The website, which is not run by law enforcement, is under investigation. 

“Ms. Stone’s murder-for-hire plot was a brazen attempt against another person’s life that caused extreme emotional harm. Without law enforcement discovering the website Ms. Stone was using and the extensive investigation by law enforcement, the outcome would be far more devastating,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “We are grateful to the agents who worked on this case and hope today’s sentence brings a sense of closure to the victim and her family.” 

"Murder-for-hire turns the sanctity of life into a transaction, making our communities vulnerable to further acts of violence,” said Christopher Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations. “HSI luckily prevented this plot being carried out, and our agents are committed to preventing crimes that would commodify human life.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.