A Cobb County jury has found Samuel Etuk, 38, guilty of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness. The verdict relates to an armed robbery and subsequent murder-for-hire scheme, as announced by District Attorney Sonya F. Allen.
The case began on January 30, 2021, when Mylea King reported an armed robbery at her apartment in Cobb County. King, who operated a nail business from home, had been contacted via Instagram by someone using the alias "Darren Herring" for a manicure appointment. During the visit, "Herring" left briefly and returned with three masked men who forced their way into the apartment.
King was assaulted, bound with tape, and restrained using a lamp cord and bedsheet. The intruders stole several items including her laptop, debit card, passport, and firearm before fleeing. Police identified two of the assailants as Michael Hansell and Samuel Etuk. King had previously met Etuk through a mutual acquaintance. Investigators discovered digital messages on Etuk's phone that coordinated the crime.
Etuk and Hansell were arrested on March 8, 2021. While in custody, Etuk allegedly solicited an inmate affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood to kill King for $10,000. The plot was uncovered by MCS Narcotics agents after the inmate reported it to authorities. An undercover operative posed as a hitman during the investigation. Notes detailing the murder-for-hire plan were found in Etuk’s jail cell.
During the trial proceedings led by Superior Court Judge Henry R. Thompson, directed verdicts were issued on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault against Etuk. After ten hours of deliberation over several days, the jury convicted him of criminal solicitation to commit murder and influencing a witness. Judge Thompson sentenced Etuk to ten years in prison consecutively.
"This guilty verdict shows our commitment to holding people accountable for violent crimes," stated 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."
Michael Hansell, co-defendant in this case, pled guilty on November 13, 2023. He received a sentence of twenty years with fifteen years to be served in prison.
The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude towards the Cobb County Police Department and MCS Narcotics agents for their contributions to resolving this case.