Mother-son murder for hire plot foiled by inmate

MONROE COUNTY, MIch. (WJBK) - A mother-son duo are facing life in prison, charged with solicitation to commit murder, and intimidating or threatening to kill a witness.

The plan, according to Michigan State Police, was hatched by 26-year-old Jontele Goodwin, who was put in jail last March for his alleged role as a leader of a South Rockwood drug ring.

"This inmate wanted to do harm to three individuals that he felt was responsible for his criminal case," said Lt. Tony Cuevas, Michigan State Police. "The whole reason he was locked up."

While Jontele Goodwin was in the Monroe County Jail awaiting trial, police say he got to talking with another inmate.

"We were contacted by correction staff at the Monroe County Jail who said that they had an inmate wanting to provide us information about a solicitation for murder case," said Cuevas.

Michigan State Police began an investigation in April.

"The informant was provided recording devices," Cuevas said.

Police say, they collected audio of Jontele offering the other inmate $2,500 to carry out the murders. He then sent the informant to his mother 43-year-old Lakeisha Goodwin, to receive a down payment in the form of drugs.

"The informant and Ms. Goodwin met, during these meetings she provided the informant with advice on how to carry out these murders," Cuevas said. "She also explained on how she was going to take the informant to the airport after the murders were carried out."

Lakeisha was arrested Monday, and is being held on a $150,000 bond. Her son remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.

Other members of the Goodwin family had no comment.

"We respect the courage the informant showed," Cuevas said.

Michigan State Police are also investigating a threat they say Jontele made to kill an officer on Monroe County's narcotics team. A crime Jontele has not been charged with.

"Without that individual doing this, three people's lives were in jeopardy," said Cuevas. "And it also gave us the opportunity to safe guard one of our own, so we really appreciate that."

State police are not yet releasing the audio recordings of the conversations between the inmate informant and Jontele.

They say we can expect more details to come out later on in court, including the specific instructions on how these three people were supposed to be killed.