Sequim Police detectives reportedly were successful in their second ruse on child rape suspect Aaron Hahn, this time catching him allegedly trying to hire a professional killer.
Hahn, 28, of Gresham, Ore., is an inmate in the Clallam County Correctional Facility. He is awaiting judgment on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, possessing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, stalking associated with domestic violence, extortion in the second degree and four counts of rape of a child in the third degree.
While in jail, Hahn allegedly asked a fellow inmate to help him find someone to kill the underage Sequim girl with whom he reportedly had a relationship. Hahn allegedly provided detailed descriptions of the victim, her address and her daily routine to the inmate, offering payment in the form of a car and a later installment of $2,500 when the victim was killed.
The inmate came forward to corrections personnel, advising them of Hahn’s intentions, who in turn contacted Sequim Police detectives.
In order to establish the seriousness of Hahn’s alleged plan, Sequim detectives Sean Madison, Cory Hall and Kori Malone made available to Hahn, through an inmate, the cell phone number of a "hit-man" from California who would carry out the crime.
Hahn reportedly called the number and negotiated for the contract killing of the now 17-year-old Sequim girl. The "hit-man" was actually a detective borrowed by Sequim Police from the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team for the undercover role.
As a result of Hahn’s alleged phone call, Clallam County charged him May 27 with one count of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, a class A felony that carries with it a penalty of up to life in prison. His new bail has been set at $1 million.
Sequim Police first tricked Hahn the day he was arrested, March 21.
Officers began looking into Hahn’s activities when the
Sequim teen reportedly came forward with concerns about Hahn making threatening remarks in response to her attempts to end their relationship.
The pair met online through a social photo and chat site when the girl was 13 and Hahn was 25. Then, four years later, the girl tried to end the relationship, which Hahn allegedly reacted to in a threatening manner.
Because he lived in Oregon and because extradition laws could have tied up the arresting process longer than officials were comfortable with, Sequim Police staged a sting in Castle Rock.
Posing as another Sequim teen girl, a friend of the victim, officers reportedly invited Hahn to meet them at a restaurant. However, instead of two young girls, Hahn found several unmarked police vehicles surrounding him and officers placed him under arrest.
Hahn’s trial date in June 9
for his first set of charges. He faces an arraignment on his newest charge on June 15.
He remains in jail. The Clallam County Superior Court suspended all of his visitation and mail rights due to his alleged attempts to contact the victim and a professional killer.