East Texas Man Guilty of Plotting to Kill Ex-Girlfriend

(Tyler, Texas) One East Texas man pleaded guilty earlier this week to plotting to stalk, kidnap and kill his ex-girlfriend in a Tyler, Texas courthouse.

Details on the East Texas Man Who Pleaded Guilty

According to CBS 19, 52-year-old Dustin Yates was in the 7th District Court where he entered his plea to capital murder while renumeration. That specific charge refers to a murder being committed for financial gain or the promise of financial benefit, which automatically makes it a capital felony with severe penalties.

Yates will make his next court appearance on Tuesday, July 15th, when he will be sentenced. Plea papers have already been submitted for Yates to receive a 30-year prison sentence.

Yates Had a Friend Helping to Plot This Crime

Yates hired his friend 53-year-old Brad McKinney to assist him in stalking and discussed plans to cause harm or kill his ex-girlfriend.

McKinney was known as a good hunter and a sniper; Yates had gone as far as offering $650 for assistance. McKinney replied that he would “help in any way I can.”

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The Violent Conversations Only Got Worse

Yates and McKinney discussed McKinney being paid $15,000 to film the kidnapping, rape, and death of the ex-girlfriend. Throughout their conversations there were plans of pistol-whipping, renting cars, murder, and utilizing disguises.

McKinney has also already pleaded guilty to the same charge late last month; he will be back in court for his sentencing on July 31st.

The messages between the two men were found after the ex-girlfriend contacted police about being stalked by Yates, and after contacting him investigators found the messages between the two men.