College Football Player Faces Murder-for-Hire Charges After Alleged $500 Plot
A 19-year-old college football player has been arrested in Colorado over a shocking alleged murder-for-hire scheme targeting his former teammate, with court documents revealing he offered just $500 for the killing.
Disturbing Details Emerge from Arrest Affidavit
Jackson T. Keller, a freshman linebacker at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of criminal solicitation for first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon on college grounds. According to an arrest affidavit filed in La Plata County Combined Courts, the alleged plot developed after Keller fell out with his teammate, a defensive back who had previously been his friend.
The documents reveal that Keller and the would-be target had been close friends who lived in dorm rooms connected by an adjoining bathroom. Their relationship soured following a string of incidents that led the defensive back to begin locking his connecting door to keep Keller out of his room.
Confrontation Escalates to Alleged Murder Plot
The situation came to a head last Wednesday when Keller attempted to enter his former friend's room but found the door locked. The incident was witnessed by another student, Kobe McGill, who joined the defensive back in confronting Keller in his room.
During the confrontation, the victim became upset and kicked Keller's television, knocking it onto his PlayStation console, though neither device was damaged according to the affidavit. Keller then challenged the victim to a fight, with McGill telling police that the suspect was holding scissors behind his back and threatened to stab anyone who came into his room to try and hurt him.
The $500 Murder-for-Hire Offer
After the victim returned to his own room, Keller allegedly approached McGill with a chilling proposition. According to the affidavit, Keller asked McGill if he would put a hat on the defensive back for $500, offering to send the money through CashApp after the deed was done. McGill told police he understood this to mean Keller was asking him to kill his teammate.
When McGill refused, Keller reportedly told him nevermind and, according to the documents, McGill then witnessed him on a FaceTime call with three men handling firearms who agreed to put a hat on the target. McGill told police he saw Keller send a $500 CashApp payment to the men, who said they would be on their way from Colorado Springs to Durango, a journey expected to take seven hours.
Swift Police Response and Arrest
McGill immediately left the room and informed the would-be target about what he had witnessed. The defensive back reported the incident to housing officials, who promptly contacted law enforcement.
When questioned by police the following day, Keller denied putting out a hit on his former friend. He was nevertheless booked into the La Plata County Jail later on Thursday after probable cause was established during a search warrant execution on campus.
College Response and Legal Proceedings
Fort Lewis College released a statement saying the safety of students, faculty, and staff was a top priority and praising their police department for acting quickly and in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. The college emphasized that their prompt response demonstrated the strength of campus safety protocols and partnerships.
Keller was released after posting $50,000 bail and is now subject to a mandatory protection order prohibiting him from contacting or going near the alleged victim. Court records show no significant criminal history for Keller in Colorado, with just a previous traffic ticket in Florida noted.
Background and Future Court Date
According to the college's football roster, Keller's hometown is Tampa, Florida. His biography on the team website described him as someone who enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to artists such as Rod Wave and NBA Youngboy, and his favorite food is chicken. He had planned to major in Business.
Keller's next court appearance is scheduled for February 23 at the La Plata County Courthouse, where the serious charges against him will be addressed in the legal system.
