Two siblings from Clinton, Mississippi, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot targeting their stepfather. Federal prosecutors announced the sentences on Tuesday, concluding a case that has left the community stunned.
The Plot to Kill for Financial Gain
Joshua Bryan, 29, and his sister Regan Bryan, 30, orchestrated the murder-for-hire plan in an effort to obtain life insurance proceeds. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, the siblings sought to hire a hitman to kill their stepfather, with the goal of financially benefiting from his death.
Regan Bryan’s Sentence and Guilty Plea
Regan Bryan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire. During court proceedings, she admitted her role in planning the crime. She was sentenced to five years and five months in prison, with prosecutors citing her admission of guilt as a factor in her sentencing.
Joshua Bryan’s Trial and Verdict
Unlike his sister, Joshua Bryan went to trial in December 2023. He was found guilty of both conspiracy to commit murder for hire and murder for hire. The court sentenced him to ten years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and his decision to contest the charges.
Prosecutors Condemn the Crime
Federal prosecutors described the siblings’ actions as calculated and driven by greed. They emphasized the severity of planning a murder purely for financial gain, calling the plot a heinous crime. “Taking a human life for monetary benefits is inexcusable,” said a representative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
