Woman gets 7-year term in Craigslist murder plot

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) ? An Iowa woman has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for using a Craigslist help wanted ad to solicit someone to kill her father.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade gave the 87-month prison term Wednesday to 23-year-old Megan Schmidt of Dubuque.

Schmidt pleaded guilty in November to using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire.

In a plea agreement, Schmidt admitted that she posted Craigslist ads seeking someone to do a ?one-time job? for $10,000. She later told one man who responded that she wanted her father dead and it would be best to ?either shoot or stab him because he is a bigger man.?

That man contacted authorities. The Dubuque County Sheriff?s Office then conducted an undercover operation that led to Schmidt?s arrest.