Chicago man indicted in federal court for plotting to kill two witnesses in Cousin’s murder trial – FINCHANNEL

CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been indicted on federal murder-for-hire charges for allegedly plotting to kill two potential witnesses in his cousin’s upcoming murder trial.

An indictment returned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges CHRISTOPHER YATES, 39, with two counts of self-inflicted murder and one count of illegal transfer of a firearm and ammunition.

According to the indictment and a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, Yates sought to kill two people he believed would testify against his cousin in a state murder trial. Yates’ cousin is currently being held in state custody on charges of murder and attempted murder for allegedly shooting two people, one fatally, in 2020. His trial was set to begin this fall.

Last month, Yates allegedly recruited a man to commit the murders and provided him with a gun and ammunition. Yates told the man, “I want them both off the board. They both had to go.” Yates offered the man $250 in cash and said he could offer more money later as payment for the murders, the charges allege. “Whatever you ask, I’m working on it,” Yates reportedly said.

Yates was arrested on July 31, 2024 and remains in federal custody without bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Thursday in federal court in Chicago.

The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago. Substantial assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the US Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. The government is represented by Assistant District Attorney Kirsten Moran.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not proof of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial where the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The illegal transfer charge is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison, while each felony charge for hire is punishable by up to ten years.