Judge Denies Request to Reduce Sentence for Man Who Paid in Bitcoin to Have Ex Killed

On Monday, April 8, 2024, the United States District Court for the Central District of California denied a motion to reduce the prison sentence of Scott Quinn Berkett, who was previously convicted of soliciting murder-for-hire on the dark web.

Berkett had pleaded guilty to violating federal law by soliciting murder-for-hire services with the intent to have his ex-girlfriend killed. He used the username “Ula77” to contact what he believed was a dark web service offering murders-for-hire. Berkett provided detailed instructions about his target and paid over $13,000 worth of bitcoin to the website to carry out the planned killing.

Berkett was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. However, new sentencing guidelines took effect in November 2023 that allow for a two-level reduction for certain first-time, nonviolent offenders classified as “zero-point offenders.” Berkett filed a motion seeking a reduction in his sentence under the new guidelines.

However, in its ruling, the court found that Berkett did not qualify for a sentence reduction under the new policy statement. One of the criteria for a reduction is that the offense could not have involved actual or threatened violence. Given that Berkett had solicited murder-for-hire, the court determined he had used violence or credible threats of violence.

Even if Berkett had qualified for a sentencing adjustment as a zero-point offender, the amended guidelines range for his offense level and criminal history would have been 70 to 87 months in prison. Since that range exceeds his original 60-month sentence, federal law prohibits a judge from further reducing the sentence.

Given that Berkett was ineligible for a modification under the narrow exceptions to federal sentencing finality rules, the court denied both his request for a reduced sentence as well as his separate request for appointed counsel. Berkett will continue serving his original 60-month federal prison term for soliciting murder-for-hire in exchange for bitcoin on the dark web.

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