Desmen Ramsey, a 58-year-old man from Ohio, was given the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault charges due to an incident where he mistakenly called a dumpster company while under the influence of alcohol and attempted to hire a hitman to kill his adult son.
In three voicemails left on October 13, 2022, Ramsey, who identified himself as “Tommy,” offered a “five grand hit” on his son, expressing no concern for his whereabouts or who he was with. In the last voicemail, he asked for a call back “ASAP.”
When Budget Dumpster employees discovered the voicemails the next day, the caller ID showed Ramsey’s name and number. Prosecutors alleged that Ramsey believed he was calling a friend who was a part of a motorcycle club, however, the friend denied any involvement in the murder-for-hire plot.
Ramsey admitted to police he had gotten into an argument with his son prior to the call and had been drinking. He also reassured the judge that he would never hurt his children, and his son did not take part in his father’s prosecution.
Judge David Matia, who read out loud the transcripts of the voicemails in court, found that Budget Dumpster’s vice president had first contacted Cleveland police but they were not helpful, so they had to reach out to the FBI. Ultimately, they turned to the police in Westlake, 15 miles away.
Ramsey started crying as he was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing hearing.