Bessemer man agreed to kill someone for $300 during meth deal, feds say
Joshua Cole Rasberry, 34, and Donald Paul Sheets, 38, both of Bessemer are charged with distribution of methamphetamine.
Mason Reed 
Two Jefferson County men are facing serious federal charges after being indicted on counts involving drug distribution and a chilling murder-for-hire plot. The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, was announced by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Phil Williams as reported by 205focus.com.
Charges Unsealed in Federal Indictment
Joshua Cole Rasberry, 34, and Donald Paul Sheets, 38, both of Bessemer, are currently facing charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine. These incidents, according to investigators, allegedly occurred back in January.
The legal scrutiny for Rasberry is significantly broader. In addition to the drug distribution charges, he is facing counts for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, use and carry of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and involvement in a crime of violence. Most alarmingly, Rasberry is accused of participating in a murder-for-hire conspiracy.
Alleged Plot Details
According to federal authorities, Rasberry allegedly accepted a $300 payment to carry out the killing of an undisclosed individual. Following these events, Bessemer police moved in to arrest Rasberry on Jan. 15 on a state charge of conspiracy to commit capital murder.
While this six-count indictment brings these details to light, officials have noted that further information regarding the investigation has not been released at this time. The case was investigated by the FBI, and the prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Cross and Kristy M. Peoples.
