Montville, Connecticut – An Army sergeant and his brother are facing serious charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving four victims, including two children. The incident came to light when an inmate at the MacDougall Correctional Institute in Suffield, Connecticut, revealed details of the scheme to authorities.
According to an affidavit, the inmate shared a cell with Joshua Peikert, who expressed a desire to have four individuals killed – a 29-year-old woman, a 10-year-old girl, a 1-year-old girl, and a 23-year-old man. Peikert allegedly planned to pay $10,000 per victim for the murders.
The inmate claimed to know people who could carry out the killings and offered to facilitate the murders for a fee. Despite not intending to harm anyone, the inmate asked for money from Peikert, who then involved his brother, Jeremiah Peikert, in the transaction.
Joshua Peikert’s release from custody led to further discussions about the planned murders, disguised as a “construction job.” However, their scheme was uncovered, leading to the brothers’ arrests. Jeremiah Peikert admitted to being aware of his brother’s intentions but denied full knowledge of the plot details.
Both brothers now face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to minors. Joshua Peikert was apprehended first, followed by the arrest of Jeremiah Peikert in Texas. The seriousness of the allegations is evident from their high bail amounts, with Jeremiah held on $500,000 and Joshua held on $710,000.
The discovery of this sinister plot serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by criminal intentions. The swift action taken by authorities to prevent the harm of innocent victims is a testament to the diligence of law enforcement in upholding justice and protecting the community. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in thwarting criminal activities before they result in tragedy.