Humboldt man charged in murder-for-hire plot

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Two men are in custody in Gibson County after investigators say they were part of a murder-for-hire plot targeting a Middle Tennessee man.

Gregory Barnes, 22, of Humboldt, and Stephen Taylor, 43, of Murfreesboro, are each charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Investigators say the investigation began around Feb. 6 after investigators with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation received information that Taylor had hired Barnes to kill an unidentified Murfreesboro man who was a potential witness against Taylor in a court hearing.

Taylor was charged with burglary and aggravated assault against the man, according to a news release. The release says Taylor was scheduled for a hearing in Rutherford County Circuit Court on Feb. 8, two days after investigators learned about the plan.

Barnes and Taylor were both serving time in the Gibson County Jail on weekends for drug and theft charges, the release says. Investigators say they believe the two men planned the murder while serving those sentences.

On Feb. 7, agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in Murfreesboro took the intended victim into protective custody, according to the release. Agents with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force and TBI in Jackson then arranged a sting, leading to Barnes’ arrest on Highway 45 between Milan and Medina while en route to Murfreesboro.

Taylor was arrested in Murfreesboro by TBI agents and Murfreesboro SWAT team.

Both men are currently in custody at the Gibson County Jail. Barnes is held in lieu of $500,000 bond and Taylor is currently held without bond.