Grand Rapids Woman Arrested In Murder For Hire Scheme Targeting
Butte County Resident

Ann Marie (Linscott), age 49, was arrested yesterday at her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on charges related to a murder for hire scheme carried out on the Internet. Sheriff Perry Reniff, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and Drew Parenti, Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento FBI, announced the arrest.

According to allegations contained in the affidavit in support of the complaint, the scheme began in November 2007 when three individuals searching the Internet web site www.craigslist.com (CRAIGSLIST) for job opportunities exchanged e-mails with an unidentified female, Marie, regarding a job opportunity she was advertising on the web site. The job description was advertised as “Freelance” with no further information provided. During the e-mail correspondence, Marie asked each of the three individuals responding to her advertisement to “eradicate a female living in Oroville, California ” and provided additional information on the intended victim to include a description of the victim, her age and her employment address. On two separate occasions, Marie offered payment of $5,000 upon completion of “the eradication task”.

Investigators have identified the true identity of Linscott’s intended victim and have determined she is married. The victim’s husband was interviewed by investigators and acknowledged meeting Linscott through an on-line college course in 2004 or 2005. According to the victim’s husband, he and Linscott developed a very deep and intimate online relationship. The victim’s husband said he first met Linscott in person when he traveled to Reno, Nevada, in July 2005 to attend a conference. Linscott spent two days with the husband in Reno and during those two days they had sexual relations. Linscott also visited the husband in Butte County in May 2007 and since that time they have continued to communicate via telephone and e-mail with the most recent communication occurring on January 9, 2008 .

Deputies from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Agents from the Chico Resident Agency of the FBI were assisted by the Grand Rapids FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in serving a search warrant yesterday at Ann Marie’s (Linscott) Grand Rapids residence. The search was based on an affidavit filed in the Western District of Michigan. Following the service of the search warrant Ann Marie (Linscott) was arrested and booked into custody. She made her initial appearance in federal court today in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and during that hearing she further identified herself as Ann Marie Linscott. Her detention hearing has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on January 29, 2008 . The proceedings in Grand Rapids will also likely include transfer and removal procedures so that Linscott can be brought to the Eastern District of California to face the charges that have been filed against her.

Perry Reniff, Butte County Sheriff, said “This complex investigation was initiated in November 2007 and we have been very concerned for the well being of the victim. The arrest of Ann Marie Linscott is just another example of the great working relationship between the FBI and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. The Detective and Agent who led this investigation are to be commended for their efforts”.

Drew Parenti, Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento FBI, said “The swift and thorough investigation afforded this matter may have saved the life of the intended victim and I believe these results are indicative of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies combine resources and manpower. We are pleased that this potential violent crime has been averted and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office”.

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