2 NM Hit Men Plotted to Murder and Castrate Justin Bieber

Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Justin Bieber's music has an odd effect on people; some love the teen heartthrob's catchy pop tunes while others absolutely despise it. But according to CNN two hit men from New Mexico caught an odd case of "Bieber Fever" and allegedly plotted to kill and castrate the Canadian singer.

The network reports that Dana Martin, an inmate in New Mexico, ordered Mark Aaron Staake, a 41-year-old ex-convict on probation who met Martin while serving time, and his nephew Tanner Ruane, to kill and castrate Bieber. But the men, who planned to target the singer and his bodyguard while in New York City in mid-November, were unsuccessful in their attack.

Martin's motive for wanting the 18-year-old star dead, stems from his infatuation with the pop singer, according to a New Mexico State Police affidavit. The inmate was so obsessed with the Biebs that he even has a tattoo of him on his leg.

Martin is serving two life sentences for raping a 15-year-old girl in Vermont in 2000. The inmate apparently spearheaded the scheme and recruited Raune and Staake, 41, to carry out the crime. According to the affidavit, Martin also wanted to be famous and was upset when Bieber ignored to his contact attempts.

"This perceived slight made Mr. Martin upset and that, coupled with Mr. Martin's perception of being a 'nobody' in prison, led him to begin plotting the kidnap and murder of (Bieber)," the affidavit read.

Once Ruane and Staake were on board with the plan, Martin instructed them to first kill two other people in Vermont, according to the affidavit. In total, four people, including Bieber were supposed to be murdered but the scheme fell apart when the duo missed a turn on a Vermont road and ended up driving towards the Canadian border on Nov. 19, according to police.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent at the Highgate Springs crossing arrested the men because Staake had an outstanding warrant for a felony parole violation in New Mexico. His nephew was released but then told the authorities everything about the plot to kill Bieber. Police said state police later booked Ruane in New York. Authorities also said the men talked in code during a recorded phone call and referred to the victims as "dogs."

"Mr. Martin confirmed that the 'dogs' would be castrated too, and Mr. Ruane not only agreed, but stated he himself was the one who was going to do the castrating," the affidavit read. The document went on to explain how they planned to kill Bieber: the men were instructed to strangle him with a paisley tie "because that was what he [Mr. Martin] had used previously," the document noted, and were going to castrate the "Baby" singer with hand-held hedge clippers used for trimming roses.

"In response to Mr. Staake's reluctance to follow through with the castrations, Mr. Ruane stated he was going to do it and get 'five large for each one I get.' Mr. Martin confirmed that Mr. Ruane was going to get $2,500.00 per testicle," according to the affidavit. Beiber's testicles were to be put in bags and hidden away. The men planned to castrate the other victims as well.

New Mexico State Police Lt. Robert McDonald told CNN that the three men have not been charged in the alleged murder against the pop star but there is currently an investigation. The uncle and nephew face two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and two counts to commit aggravated battery.

"We take every precaution to protect and ensure the safety of Justin and his fans," a rep for Bieber told CNN.


by Jason St. Amand , National News Editor

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