IndianaLocalNews

Inmate at St. Joseph County Jail faces charges after trying to hire hitman

(Tommie Lee/95.3 MNC)

A man from Mishawaka faces conspiracy and attempted murder charges after telling an informant in the St. Joseph County Jail he wanted to hire someone to kill a man he said was sleeping with his wife and his father-in-law.

An undercover detective met with Joshua Cassel, who tried to persuade him to take the job for $5,000 — money that he said his grandmother would get to him.

Cassel was in the St. Joseph County Jail for an unrelated case.

He’s due in court for his initial hearing on Monday, Nov. 29.

The following information about the case was sent to 95.3 MNC from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office:

Based on an investigation by the South Bend Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Joshua Lee Cassel, 31, of Mishawaka was formally charged on November 24, 2021.

According to the investigation, Cassel was incarcerated at the St. Joseph County Jail for an unrelated matter and reached out to a Confidential Informant to hire someone to kill two individuals outside of the jail.

The CI eventually spoke with members of law enforcement.

Based on that information, an undercover detective posed as someone else and met with Cassel.

Cassel attempted to hire him to kill those individuals.

As a result of the successful undercover operation, the two individuals remain safe. Cassel
has been formally charged with:

  • Count I: Attempted Murder (for victim 1) a Level 1 felony.
  • Count II: Conspiracy to Commit Murder (for victim 1) a Level 2 felony
  • Count III: Attempted Murder (for victim 2) a Level 1 felony
  • Count IV: Conspiracy to Commit Murder (for victim 2) a Level 2 felony

The sentencing range for a Level 1 felony is 20-40 years. The sentencing range for a Level
2 felony is 10-30 years.

Cassel is currently being held without bond at the St. Joseph County Jail. His initial hearing has been scheduled for November 29, 2021.

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