A Cleveland man is in jail accused of attempting to hire someone to kill his girlfriend.
GBI agents took Freddie Lee Warthen, Jr., into custody on January 6 and charged him with criminal solicitation. Authorities also charged the 31-year-old with home invasion and aggravated assault in a separate incident in White County.
The Cleveland Police Department requested the GBI’s involvement after uncovering evidence in the alleged murder-for-hire plot. In December 2022, state investigators began looking into the case and and confirmed Warthen tried to hire a killer.
Investigators also discovered Warthen allegedly tried to attack an individual with a knife during a home invasion in November 2022. The crime occurred in the area of Judys Drive east of Cleveland and was not previously reported to law enforcement.
Warthen was booked at the White County Detention Center. As of January 10, he remained in jail without bond.
Once its investigation is complete, the GBI will turn over the case to the Enotah Judicial Circuit for prosecution.
