The Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, Washington where Michael John Scott awaited trial on drug charges. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, Washington where Michael John Scott awaited trial on drug charges. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

‘Italian Stallion,’ of Snohomish, sentenced for trying to kill witness

In 2020, Michael John Scott sold fentanyl pills to an undercover FBI agent. Then he tried to hire a hitman to kill the “informant.”

SNOHOMISH — A former drug trafficker from Snohomish nicknamed the “Italian Stallion” was sentenced to 17 years in prison Thursday for trying to hire a hitman to assassinate a witness.

In January 2020, Michael John Scott, 44, was originally sentenced to 6½ years in prison for dealing fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine in a federal drug trafficking conspiracy. But just before getting that sentence, while released on bond, authorities arrested Scott while on his way to a drug deal with an undercover FBI informant in Whatcom County, according to charging papers filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

While in prison, Scott tried to arrange for a hitman to kill the informant and his associate. Authorities caught on to his plan.

Over three years after his original sentencing, the defendant pleaded guilty in April to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and tampering with a witness, victim, or informant, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Prosecutors recommended 20 years in prison and the defense argued for a term of “not less than 120 months.”

In June 2021, Scott agreed to pay a fellow inmate $2,000 if he would help him find a hitman to kill the Whatcom County witness and their associate, reportedly saying he would pay $10,000 each for the murders, court documents say.

The defendant blamed the undercover agent for his new charges, court documents say.

For one month, Scott wrote letters disguised as “legal mail” to the person he thought was the hitman, and to a friend he wanted to handle payment for the crimes, according to court documents. These letters spelled out his plans to kill the informant, saying he wanted the deaths to appear to be fentanyl overdoses. He also included the targets’ physical description, where they lived and what cars they drove.

The FBI intercepted the letters and had an agent pose as the hitman under the name “C. Sanchez,” charging papers say. Scott’s friend met with the “hitman” and provided him with a $5,000 cash down payment.

In his journals written in prison, Scott said felt “pressured” by his cellmate to plan the murders to the point of feeling “physically ill,” according to court documents.

On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Bryan called Scott’s crimes “most serious offenses.”

Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.

Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

‘Voter friendly’ election ballots set to go out for Snohomish County voters

Materials will include some changes to make the process easier to vote in Aug. 5 primary.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Kathy Johnson walks over a tree that has been unsuccessfully chainsawed along a CERCLA road n the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How Roadless Rule repeal could affect forests like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

The Trump administration plans to roll back a 2001 rule protecting over 58 million acres of national forest, including areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area.

Edmonds police officers investigate a shooting that occurred at 236/Edmonds Way Thursday in Edmonds, Washington. (Edmonds Police Department).
Jury convicts Edmonds man in fatal shooting of rideshare driver

After three hours, a 12-person jury convicted Alex Waggoner, 22, of second-degree murder for shooting Abdulkadir Shariif, 31, in January 2024.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.