Man Accused of Paying Teen in Cash and Drugs for Revenge Killing of Rival May Face Death Penalty: Prosecutors
Calvin Jay Huffman was already behind bars when officials determined he allegedly hired the teen to commit this murder, prosecutors said.
July 16 2024, Published 2:02 p.m. ET
Teen Allegedly Gunned Down Man
Antonyo Owens allegedly gunned down the victim near a church in Uniontown, cops said.
A 14-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed a Pennsylvania man and over a year later, prosecutors announced another man has been arrested for allegedly paying the alleged shooter in drugs and money to commit the crime.
Around 11:30 a.m. on June 6, 2023, the teen, Antonyo Owens, is accused of gunning down 38-year-old Anthony Jones near a church in Uniontown, according to court documents obtained by the Observer-Reporter.
Drug Dispute
Huffman allegedly paid the teen to kill the victim over an 'ongoing dispute...regarding a large amount of drugs,' authorities said.
Owens was arrested five days later and charged as an adult with criminal homicide, officials said.
Now prosecutors say that 38-year-old Calvin Jay Huffman hired Owens to kill Jones because of revenge and “an ongoing dispute between Huffman and Jones regarding a large amount of drugs."
At a press conference, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said, “We are alleging that at the time of Anthony Jones’ murder, Huffman was in a dispute with the victim over narcotics and paid Owens a significant amount of money and drugs to exact Huffman’s revenge against the victim.”
Digital Evidence
An Illinois man was arrested in Wisconsin after motorists reported his vehicle to police after seeing children in the camper waving for help, police said.
According to authorities, Huffman gave the teenager $5,000 in cash and three large bags of marijuana.
Court documents state a person came forward in March 2024 with digital evidence purportedly showing that Owens received payment in money and drugs to commit the murder.
Investigators then used further evidence, including other witness statements, cell phone data, and geolocation to link Huffman to Owens.
Already Locked Up
State trooper among six indicted in Alabama for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Investigators didn’t have to search long for Huffman, as he was locked up in the Bedford County Correctional Facility since April after he allegedly kidnapped a Good Samaritan who tried to help after Huffman crashed a vehicle.
According to authorities, Huffman was also convicted in a 2011 case for shooting a woman outside a bar.
For the April incident, court documents state Huffman got into the truck of a man who stopped to help him after a crash and forced him to drive around. Huffman reportedly assaulted the man and made comments about not wanting to go back to jail as the man drove around.
Once at Sheetz in Everett Borough, Huffman reportedly got out of the truck and the man drove off and called 911.
Seeking Death Penalty
With these new charges, prosecutors said they will be seeking the death penalty against Huffman.
Huffman was arrested at the Sheetz store after he allegedly attacked several people. He faces several charges in that case, including robbery of a motor vehicle and kidnapping.
For the murder of Jones, Huffman was charged with solicitation to commit murder, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corruption of a minor, and hindering apprehension, police said.
Prosecutors said they filed the paperwork and will be seeking the death penalty against Huffman.
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