Topline: He was also convicted of influencing a witness.
Published: February 14, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Samuel Etuk (via Cobb County Sheriff's Office)
MARIETTA, GA — A jury has convicted a Georgia man of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness in connection to an armed robbery and murder-for-hire plot.
District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced Samuel Etuk, 38, was found guilty of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness, according to a news release.
On Jan. 30, 2021, Mylea King called 911 to report an armed robbery at her apartment in Cobb County, Georgia. King, who ran an at-home nail business, told police she had been contacted on Instagram by a man using the alias “Darren Herring” seeking a manicure. During the appointment, “Herring” briefly left and returned with three masked men who forced their way inside.
The intruders assaulted King, bound her with tape, and used a lamp cord and bedsheet to restrain her. They stole her laptop, debit card, passport and firearm before fleeing. Police later identified two assailants as Michael Hansell and Samuel Etuk. King said she had met Etuk previously through a mutual acquaintance. Investigators found digital messages on Etuk’s phone coordinating the crime.
Etuk and Hansell were arrested March 8, 2021. While in custody, Etuk solicited an inmate with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood to have King killed, offering $10,000 for the hit, police said. MCS Narcotics agents uncovered the plot after the inmate reported it. Investigators set up an undercover operative posing as a hitman. A search of Etuk’s jail cell found notes detailing the murder-for-hire.
During the trial, Superior Court Judge Henry R. Thompson issued directed verdicts on the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges. After 10 hours of deliberation over multiple days, the jury found Etuk guilty of the above charges.
Etuk was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be served consecutively.
“This guilty verdict shows our commitment to holding people accountable for violent crimes,” said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. “I’m proud of the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners in securing justice for the victim in this case.”
Co-defendant Michael Hansell pled guilty on Nov. 13, 2023, and was sentenced to 20 years and must serve 15 in prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Georgia Man Convicted for Role in Murder-for-Hire Plot
He was also convicted of influencing a witness.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 14, 2025 8:00 am ET
Samuel Etuk (via Cobb County Sheriff's Office)
MARIETTA, GA — A jury has convicted a Georgia man of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness in connection to an armed robbery and murder-for-hire plot.
District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced Samuel Etuk, 38, was found guilty of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness, according to a news release.
On Jan. 30, 2021, Mylea King called 911 to report an armed robbery at her apartment in Cobb County, Georgia. King, who ran an at-home nail business, told police she had been contacted on Instagram by a man using the alias “Darren Herring” seeking a manicure. During the appointment, “Herring” briefly left and returned with three masked men who forced their way inside.
The intruders assaulted King, bound her with tape, and used a lamp cord and bedsheet to restrain her. They stole her laptop, debit card, passport and firearm before fleeing. Police later identified two assailants as Michael Hansell and Samuel Etuk. King said she had met Etuk previously through a mutual acquaintance. Investigators found digital messages on Etuk’s phone coordinating the crime.
Etuk and Hansell were arrested March 8, 2021. While in custody, Etuk solicited an inmate with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood to have King killed, offering $10,000 for the hit, police said. MCS Narcotics agents uncovered the plot after the inmate reported it. Investigators set up an undercover operative posing as a hitman. A search of Etuk’s jail cell found notes detailing the murder-for-hire.
During the trial, Superior Court Judge Henry R. Thompson issued directed verdicts on the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges. After 10 hours of deliberation over multiple days, the jury found Etuk guilty of the above charges.
Etuk was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be served consecutively.
“This guilty verdict shows our commitment to holding people accountable for violent crimes,” said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. “I’m proud of the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners in securing justice for the victim in this case.”
Co-defendant Michael Hansell pled guilty on Nov. 13, 2023, and was sentenced to 20 years and must serve 15 in prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Georgia Man Convicted for Role in Murder-for-Hire Plot
He was also convicted of influencing a witness.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 14, 2025 8:00 am ET
Samuel Etuk (via Cobb County Sheriff's Office)
MARIETTA, GA — A jury has convicted a Georgia man of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness in connection to an armed robbery and murder-for-hire plot.
District Attorney Sonya F. Allen announced Samuel Etuk, 38, was found guilty of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness, according to a news release.
On Jan. 30, 2021, Mylea King called 911 to report an armed robbery at her apartment in Cobb County, Georgia. King, who ran an at-home nail business, told police she had been contacted on Instagram by a man using the alias “Darren Herring” seeking a manicure. During the appointment, “Herring” briefly left and returned with three masked men who forced their way inside.
The intruders assaulted King, bound her with tape, and used a lamp cord and bedsheet to restrain her. They stole her laptop, debit card, passport and firearm before fleeing. Police later identified two assailants as Michael Hansell and Samuel Etuk. King said she had met Etuk previously through a mutual acquaintance. Investigators found digital messages on Etuk’s phone coordinating the crime.
Etuk and Hansell were arrested March 8, 2021. While in custody, Etuk solicited an inmate with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood to have King killed, offering $10,000 for the hit, police said. MCS Narcotics agents uncovered the plot after the inmate reported it. Investigators set up an undercover operative posing as a hitman. A search of Etuk’s jail cell found notes detailing the murder-for-hire.
During the trial, Superior Court Judge Henry R. Thompson issued directed verdicts on the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges. After 10 hours of deliberation over multiple days, the jury found Etuk guilty of the above charges.
Etuk was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be served consecutively.
“This guilty verdict shows our commitment to holding people accountable for violent crimes,” said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. “I’m proud of the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners in securing justice for the victim in this case.”
Co-defendant Michael Hansell pled guilty on Nov. 13, 2023, and was sentenced to 20 years and must serve 15 in prison.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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