State College man involved in ‘murder for hire’ plot against former prosecutor, police say
A State College man was arrested Friday following an investigation into a “murder for hire” plot against a former prosecutor.
Dana Elroy Smith, 56, was taken into custody after an undercover operation that involved the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and a “money drop” to a purported “hit man,” according to a press release.
A joint investigation of state police, the Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was launched in September after authorities learned that individuals were conspiring to contract with a “hit man” to murder a former prosecutor. At least two people involved were current or former inmates within the Pennsylvania State Correction system, police said.
With the assistance of the Department of Corrections, police began monitoring the activities of inmates and co-conspirators outside of the prison system, according to the release. Investigators found that Smith made “large money transfers” through an intermediary to one inmate involved with the execution of the plot, police said.
Specific identifying information, including the home address and description of the potential victim, was sent by conspirators to potential “hit men,” police said.
Smith was charged by the Luzerne County district attorney’s office with criminal solicitation: criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy and arrest prior to requisition. He was charged within Luzerne County because “a significant step in the furtherance of the murder conspiracy was perpetrated within Luzerne County,” police said.
“Due to the diligence of our investigators and with the assistance provided by our partners, a potential tragedy was averted, and those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” Major Douglas J. Burig, director of the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation stated in the release.
Smith was transported to Centre County Correction Facility, where he remains incarcerated.
“ATF is proud to have supported our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police and the PA Board of Probation and Parole in this investigation,” said Donald Robinson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Due to the hard work of the investigators and criminal intelligence analysts, the team prevented a potential homicide from occurring and a family from grieving a tragic loss at the holidays.”
This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 9:06 AM.