Xin Guang Guo, a 48-year-old resident of Plymouth, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on Apr. 6 before United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III to two counts of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder-for-hire.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Guo admitted to trying to pay another individual $30,000 to kill two people living in the Philadelphia area. The case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address violent crime and protect potential victims.
According to court filings, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information on September 30, 2025 that Guo wanted to hire a hitman to murder his former business partner and the partner’s paramour. Investigators obtained text messages from Guo detailing his plan and providing identifying information about the intended victims.
Monitored phone calls revealed that Guo discussed paying $15,000 for each murder and arranged a meeting in Philadelphia on October 6 with someone he believed was a hitman. During this meeting, he gave $2,500—intended for purchasing a gun—to an undercover ATF officer and requested photographic proof of the murders before paying the remaining balance. Shortly after leaving the meeting in his vehicle, Guo was arrested by ATF agents without incident.
Guo was initially arrested on a criminal complaint and warrant in October last year and charged by indictment that same month. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 15 and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McCool.
