Former Kentucky lawyer charged in federal murder-for-hire plot
Chase Cox allegedly used the mail to pay a hitman while serving time for probation violations.
By Rebecca Lewis ·
Federal prosecutors have charged a former Kentucky attorney with attempting to hire a hitman.
Chase Cox, 33, faces one count of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and one count of making false statements to a federal agency.
The indictment states that Cox attempted to pay a hitman via USPS between September 25 and November 3 of this year.
On October 8, authorities asked Cox if he believed he might threaten the intended victim. The document alleges he responded, “No, I love [the victim] with all my heart, I would never put [him/her] in harm’s way.”
Cox is currently held at the Shelby County Detention Center, where he is serving a five-year sentence for violating probation by testing positive for cocaine and alcohol.
In June 2024, a judge suspended a six-month jail sentence after Cox pleaded guilty to breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. He had stolen her iPad, read her messages to locate her, and then broke the device. A judge allowed him to serve the sentence on probation after he claimed he would be successful in the community.
Eight days after his release from that initial jail stint, Cox hired a felon friend to vandalize his ex-girlfriend’s car.
U.S. marshals will transport Cox to federal court in Covington for his arraignment on December 9.
If convicted on both counts, Cox faces up to 15 years in federal prison, a fine of $500,200, and six years of supervised release.
