Uniontown Man Sentenced to Prison for Murder-for-Hire Plot

AKRON – Scott Allen Renninger, 53, of Uniontown, Ohio, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams to six years in prison and was ordered to pay $17,520 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange a murder-for-hire plot.

“Engaging in a plot to kill or harm another is a threat to our way-of-life,” said  First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler.  “This defendant went to great lengths in an attempt to facilitate the murder of an innocent person and now he will face the consequences of his actions.”

"Thwarting carefully crafted plots to carry out violent crimes are a priority of the FBI," said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. "The cold and callous nature of a scheming individual is a threat to not only the victim of the action, but also the community.  The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to find and investigate criminals or their network intent on causing harm to others."

According to court documents, from October to November 2020, Renninger met with an individual and discussed offering the individual money in exchange for the murder of a victim. 

Court documents state that Renninger and the individual had frequent contact and that Renninger provided the individual with a photograph of the victim, license plate information and other materials that disclosed the victim’s residence.  On one occasion, Renninger stated to the individual that they needed to figure out a way to communicate, possibly using disposable phones and confirmed his desire to make the victim “disappear.”

During subsequent meetings, Renninger and the individual again discussed the plot and agreed upon a price of $20,000 in exchange for the murder.

Renninger was arrested at his residence, without incident, on Nov. 17, 2020.  The victim was unharmed.

Renninger pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, to one count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Brad J. Beeson.