Cops: youth leader tried to hire hitman

GREENDWOOD, Ind. (WISH) -  

A former Greenwood youth leader accused of having sex with minors has now been charged hiring a hit man to murder victims in the case.

Johnson County authorities say Jonathan Hartman told another inmate he could get him a gun and $50,000 to kill numerous people connected to his pending case.

The 30-year-old is currently behind bars awaiting trial after reportedly confessing to having sex with three 15-year-old girls, one of whom police say gave birth to his child.

They say he began relationships with the girls in a youth band.

They say earlier this month, another inmate, Matthew Parker, told them Hartman wanted to kill 13 people, including the girls, the baby and their family members at several locations. They later put a wire on Parker and recorded a deal going down between the two.

“From the warrant being issued today for his arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, he sees and he understands now that in Johnson County we’re just not going to tolerate this type of thing. Whether it be in the jail or whether it be out in the general public! That the prosecutors office, the Indiana State Police and the Johnson County Sheriff’s office takes this seriously!” deputy Doug Cox said.

Authorities say Hartman wanted to kill the two month old to remove any evidence in the pending sex abuse cases against him. He now faces another 20-50 years for conspiracy to commit murder. That’s on top of the existing numerous felonies.

No trial dates have been set and we’re told that the other inmate Parker who cooperated in the investigation, has been moved to the Marion County Jail.