Jury Convicts Montana Man Of Murder-For-Hire Conspiracy, Tampering With A Witness By Killing, Stalking Resulting In Death, And Firearm And Drug Charges

RENO - A federal jury convicted a Missoula, Montana, man on September 12, 2025, for killing two people, and firearm and marijuana trafficking charges.

"Last week's verdict underscores our commitment to holding accountable the defendant who carried out violent criminal acts resulting in the tragic loss of two lives," said United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. "I commend the Assistant United States Attorneys who are prosecuting this case, the staff professionals and Victim Witness Unit, and our law enforcement partners for their tireless work to bringing the defendant to justice."

"This conviction reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the devastating loss of lives," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. "The FBI, along with our dedicated local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, stands resolute in its mission to crush violent crime and will hold accountable those involved in such acts."

Cory Spurlock, Will Larsen, and others were involved in an illegal, large scale marijuana distribution business based in Mound House, Nevada. During a marijuana transaction in Mound House, Nevada, on June 19, 2020, Jered Stefansky went missing. Stefansky had traveled to Mound House from Redding to pick up a large amount of cash. The last call from Stefansky's cell phone was to a number associated with Spurlock and Spurlock became a person of interest in the investigation into Stefansky's disappearance. Stefansky's mother never gave up on trying to find her son and appeared on a podcast in late September of 2020 where she discussed her son's disappearance and the people her son was involved with in the marijuana conspiracy, including Larsen and Spurlock.

According to testimony, Spurlock listened to the podcast and believed Larsen was a rat and needed to die. Spurlock promised a co-conspirator payment for assistance in killing Larsen. Between October 2020 and November 8, 2020, Spurlock traveled to Nevada and California with his co-conspirators. Spurlock and his co-conspirators stalked Larsen and his wife, Yesenia Larsen, throughout the Reno and Carson City area and followed them to just outside Bridgeport, California. The Larsens were shot and stabbed to death on November 8, 2020, their bodies left on the side of US Highway 395. Spurlock was also convicted of robbery for stealing the money Will Larsen had in his wallet. Stefansky's skeletal remains were found in March 2021, at the Rye Patch Recreation area in Pershing County, Nevada.

Following a four-week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts in a day-and-a-half. Spurlock was found guilty of one-count each of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute over 1000 kilograms of marijuana; murder-for-hire conspiracy; tampering with a witness by killing; interference with commerce by robbery; causing death through use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and two-counts of stalking resulting in death.

United States District Judge Miranda Du scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2025. Spurlock faces the maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division, Deputy Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis for DEA's Los Angeles Division, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

The FBI, Mono County Sheriff's Office, DEA, ATF, Lyon County Sheriff's Office, Carson City Sheriff's Office, and the Pershing County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Penelope Brady are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug trafficking organizations and other criminal networks that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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