Prosecutor: accused youth volunteer wanted witnesses killed

UPDATE: A former youth volunteer already in jail awaiting trial on child molestation charges is in even more trouble.

Johnson County authorities say he tried to hire a hitman to kill witnesses, including teenagers and an infant, that could testify against him.

30 year-old Jonathan Hartman better get used to wearing stripes. New charges filed against him Thursday by the Johnson County prosecutor could keep him behind bars for a very long while.


"A lot of times they have free time on their hands. Some do things constructive as in going to school, trying to further their education. Unfortunately you have some that come up with bad ideas," said Col. Doug Cox with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities believe Hartman hatched a plan while awaiting trial on a variety of charges including sexual misconduct with minors. Detectives were tipped off in January when one of Hartman's fellow inmates came forward, saying Hartman had tried to hire him to kill witnesses who could testify against him - including all of his alleged teenaged victims, an infant only months old, and any family members who quote "got in the way."

"These were not empty threats, no," said Col. Cox.

It was April of 2009 when Hartman was first arrested. He had been a youth volunteer at a Greenwood Salvation Army church. It was there authorities believe Hartman met and sometimes had sex with 3 teenaged girls over the course of several years, one of whom reportedly had his child.

"Probably like most of public we were shocked," said Jeff Stanger with the Salvation Army.

Salvation Army officials were still reeling from the first charges when the murder for hire plot came to light.

Authorities are just grateful Hartman's former inmate came forward, shedding light on his reported plans to pay him $50,000 dollars and bring what he called an end to a problem.

"We appreciate it when inmates are willing to come forward, especially inmates that aren't asking for a deal while doing so. This could have averted a terrible tragedy," said Col. Cox.

Hartman has since been separated from other inmates at the Johnson County Jail. He goes to court next week to hear these new charges. If convicted, Jonathan Hartman could spend more than a 100 years behind bars.

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Authorities say a former Salvation Army youth volunteer, arrested for child molestation and sexual misconduct, wanted witnesses killed.

Thursday, Johnson Co. Prosecutor Brad Cooper formally charged Jonathan Hartman with conspiracy to commit murder. The Salvation Army says Hartman was an unpaid volunteer who taught music.

According to a probable cause affadavit, Hartman allegedly asked a fellow jail inmate to kill the witnesses against him. The inmate contacted the prosecutor's office, who forwarded that info to the Johnson Co. Sheriff.

The latest charge against Hartman comes after a month-long investigation, where investigators say Hartman offered to pay the inmate to kill the witnesses in his case. The situation gets even more bizarre. Authorities say in addition to killing the witnesses, Hartman also contract to kill a child of one of the witnesses that Hartman believed to be his.

Part of the agreement between Hartman and the inmate included Hartman promising to get a gun for the inmate once he was out of jail. The gun was supposed to be a "down payment" for the killings. Then, Hartman promised $50,000 to the inmate after all the witnesses were killed.

Hartman is currently locked up at the Johnson Co. Jail, held without bond. He's awaiting trial for the sex charges, as well as the new charges filed Thursday.