A Montana man has been convicted in a murder-for-hire plot that left a couple dead near Bridgeport, California.
A federal jury convicted Cory Spurlock on September 12 for his role in a murder-for-hire conspiracy and related crimes following the 2020 killings of William Larsen, who was 35 at the time, and Yesenia Larsen, who was 30.
The two were found dead on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 395 near Bridgeport on November 9, 2020.
A snowplow driver discovered the bodies, prompting a homicide investigation by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies later identified several individuals connected to the victims through a prior marijuana distribution operation based in Mound House, Nevada.
On March 22, 2021, Bradley Kohorst, then 35, was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona. Two days later, Spurlock, then 33, and Orit Oged, then 32, were taken into custody in Missoula, Montana. All three were held on warrants issued by the Mono County District Attorney’s Office.
According to federal prosecutors, Spurlock, Kohorst, and Larsen were involved in a large-scale illegal marijuana trafficking operation.
On June 19, 2020, Jered Stefansky, who traveled from Redding to pick up a large amount of cash in Mound House, went missing.
The last call from his phone was to a number linked to Spurlock. His skeletal remains were found in March 2021 at Rye Patch Recreation Area in Pershing County, Nevada.
In late September 2020, Stefansky’s mother appeared on a podcast and mentioned Spurlock and Larsen while discussing her son’s disappearance. Testimony revealed that Spurlock heard the podcast and believed Larsen was cooperating with law enforcement. Prosecutors said Spurlock promised payment to a co-conspirator to help kill Larsen.
Between October and November 8, 2020, Spurlock and others followed William and Yesenia Larsen across Nevada and into California, where the couple was shot and stabbed. Their bodies were left near Bridgeport. Spurlock was also convicted of robbery for stealing money from William Larsen’s wallet.
Following a four-week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts in less than two days.
Spurlock was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, murder-for-hire conspiracy, tampering with a witness by killing, interference with commerce by robbery, causing death through the use of a firearm during a violent crime, and two counts of stalking resulting in death.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 16. Spurlock faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
A federal district judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“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 bring 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.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, Mono County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, ATF, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. It is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation, which targets high-level drug trafficking and criminal networks.
