MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTING TO MURDER WOMAN BY PAYING UNDERCOVER HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE OFFICERS POSING AS HITMEN

Case # 15WF1010

Date: March 20, 2018

MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTING TO MURDER WOMAN BY PAYING UNDERCOVER HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE OFFICERS POSING AS HITMEN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted today of attempting to murder a woman by paying undercover Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) officers posing as hitmen.

Defendant

Charges

Maximum Sentence

Court Date

Joseph Jordan Taylor, 32, Huntington Beach

Pleaded guilty today to the following felony counts:

  • Solicitation to commit murder
  • Attempted murder

Prior Strike Convictions

  • Criminal threats in 2007

23 years in state prison

Sentencing

March 27, 2018, 8:30 a.m.

Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

  • In May 2015, the HBPD became aware of a plan made by Taylor to murder Jane Doe.
  • On May 12, 2015, the defendant paid thousands of dollars to HBPD officers posing as hitmen to murder Jane Doe, with the agreement to pay them more money once she was murdered. The interaction was recorded by HBPD.
  • Shortly after paying the officers, Taylor was arrested.

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez, Special Prosecutions Unit