Two convicted for federal gun charges also suspected in murder-for-hire scheme

Two people who have pleaded guilty to firearm charges in a federal case may now be implicated in a murder-for-hire scheme against the Mount Vernon police chief, according to a sentencing memorandum filed last week.

The memorandum, filed Dec. 23, asks the court to increase the sentencing guidelines for Melissa Johnson, 28, who pleaded guilty in July to being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm. The government contends Johnson was asked in a recorded phone conversation by Lorenzo Harris-Thompson to give another person $500 and tell him to "Silence the critic," referring to Mount Vernon police chief Mark Winder.

Harris-Thompson, 28, who pleaded guilty in July to being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, told another jail inmate, who was a cooperating witness for the government,  that he was worried that Winder would testify at his sentencing. He then asked the inmate if he could find someone to kill Winder.

The inmate said his friend, "Tony," who is an undercover police officer, would need $500 up front and then $4,500 after it's done, according to the memorandum. Harris-Thompson then made a phone call from the jail to Johnson, asking her if she could get him the money to give to "Tone" and tell him to "Silence the critic," according to the memorandum.

Johnson then met with Tone and told him "Silence the critic," according to the memorandum. The next day, Harris-Thompson told Johnson to forget what he asked her when he found out Johnson's sentencing was continued.

Harris-Thompson also showed a note to Johnson during her visit that stated "Bruce wanted to wack Mt. V Pig. I told him to get off that."

In phone calls to Johnson and others, Harris-Thompson also attempted to cover up his previous statements by saying the payment Johnson made, using the code "Silence the critic," was a payment for some fur coats to be used as Christmas presents, according to the memorandum.

Johnson told federal agents on Nov. 21 that she was asked to meet an unknown man and make a payment using a code phrase for Christmas presents, according to the memorandum. She didn't believe there was anything illegal about the payment, she said.

The government in the memorandum is asking the court to consider Johnson's conduct after her plea because she has obstructed justice and isn't eligible for acceptance of responsibility, which would decrease her jail time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan said Wednesday he couldn't make any comment on the cases of Johnson and Harris-Thompson.

Winder also declined to comment because it's an ongoing investigation.

Johnson and Harris-Thompson have not been charged with murder-for-hire at this time.

The unlawful firearm possession charges against Johnson and Harris-Thompson stemmed from a house raid in September 2010 by Mount Vernon police, who found two assault rifles, marijuana, more than $9,000 in cash and three young children. Johnson and Harris-Thompson were two of seven people living in the house.

Police said they had received many complaints about "late night activity" at the house.