Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Tim Nelson

Charges: Minnesota murder for hire plot went awry, thwarted by BCA agent

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A 38-year-old Sauk Centre, Minn., man is facing a first-degree murder conspiracy charge, after allegedly trying twice to hire a hitman to kill a family member, and possibly going through with a payment two years ago. 

Robert Charles Thomas Sr. was arrested Monday, the second time the killing was planned to have taken place.

According to a criminal complaint filed against him in Todd County, Thomas had repeatedly expressed an interest in killing a family member, from whom he believed he might inherit substantial property and who allegedly had a romantic relationship with Thomas’ wife. The target was not identified in any other detail.

An informant told local authorities Thomas had already hired a person to carry out the killing for $10,000 in 2021, but the person did not follow through.

Local investigators brought in an agent from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who met with Thomas in a grocery store parking lot in Long Prairie, Minn., identifying himself as a potential killer-for-hire.

The complaint says Thomas laid out his plan in detail, during an hour-long conversation recorded on video as the two sat together in a vehicle. The undercover agent and Thomas shook hands on the deal and agreed to have the crime take place after Easter weekend, unless Thomas changed his mind and called it off.

Thomas said he would sell off his inherited assets and give the killer $50,000, according to the charge. He also allegedly said the payment he made to the first purported killer would be a bonus. Thomas also allegedly told the agent he’d previously made plans to carry out the killing himself — prompting the agent to warn Thomas not to carry out that plan.

He was arrested Monday at his work, after telling the agent there was no need to wait to carry out the killing and that he was sure he wanted it done. After his arrest, Thomas admitted to the plot, according to the Todd County Attorney’s Office.

Thomas made his first court appearance in Long Prairie on Wednesday and is scheduled to be back in court May 1.