MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop F Headquarters - 2920 North Shamrock Road - Jefferson City, MO 65102


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Scott B. White
573-751-1000
F160604
June 6, 2016

EMPHASIS: Woman Arrested After Murder For Hire Investigation -- Camden County

On June 2, 2016, the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group (LANEG), The Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Camden County Sheriff’s Department concluded a joint investigation into a plot to kill a Lake Ozark, Missouri, resident.

During the investigation, Jessica C. Swearingen, 25 of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, solicited an undercover agent from LANEG to assist her in murdering a family member. Swearingen was arrested without incident during a traffic stop made by the Camden County Sheriff’s Department at 9:35 p.m., on Thursday, June 2, in Osage Beach.

On Friday, June 3, 2016, the Camden County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Swearingen with conspiracy to commit murder--first degree. Bond was set at $250,000, cash only.

The above charge is mere accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of this charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
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