DALLAS, USA — Ashley Grayson, a Dallas influencer and entrepreneur, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after attempting to orchestrate three murder-for-hire plots fueled by online rivalries and personal grievances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentencing on Monday, November 18, 2024, which stems from Grayson’s efforts to hire a Memphis couple to kill individuals she believed had wronged her, including a business competitor, an ex-boyfriend, and a woman who criticised her on social media.
The Murder-for-Hire Scheme
Grayson approached the Memphis couple in August 2022, presenting the killings as a “business opportunity.”
According to court documents, she offered $20,000 for each target, with an additional $5,000 for the expedited murder of a business rival in Southaven, Missouri, whom she accused of creating fake online profiles to criticise her company.
In a recorded phone call on September 10, 2022, Grayson reiterated her demand for the murder to be carried out “as soon as possible.”
The Memphis couple, however, feigned an attempt by sending Grayson a staged photo of police lights and demanded $10,000 for their “efforts.”
The couple met Grayson and her husband in Dallas to collect the money, after which law enforcement was alerted to the scheme.
Legal Proceedings and Sentence
In July 2023, a grand jury indicted Ashley Grayson and her husband, Joshua, for using interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire. While Joshua was acquitted, Ashley was found guilty after a week-long trial in March 2024.
On October 31, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Grayson to the maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
A Twenty-First Century Crime
Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, described the case as emblematic of the dangers of escalating online feuds.
“This was a twenty-first century crime where online feuds and senseless rivalries bled into the real world,” Fondren said.
“Fortunately, no one was physically hurt in this case, but the victim and her family still felt a severe emotional impact as the result of the defendant’s actions,” Fondren added.
Preventing a Greater Tragedy
The Justice Department credited the Memphis couple’s decision to alert authorities and the quick action of investigative agencies with preventing further harm.
“This case is a stark reminder of how virtual disputes can lead to real-world consequences,” Fondren said, highlighting the importance of addressing online conflicts responsibly.
Grayson’s actions and subsequent sentencing serve as a cautionary tale of the dangerous intersection between social media rivalries and criminal behaviour.
