LAS VEGAS, NV — A federal jury has found Cory Spurlock, a Montana man, guilty on multiple charges, including murder-for-hire, in a major marijuana trafficking case based in Mound House, Nevada, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Spurlock and his co-conspirators, including Will Larsen, were part of a large-scale illegal marijuana operation. The case took a deadly turn following the 2020 disappearance of Jered Stefansky, who traveled to Nevada to collect a cash payment from a drug deal. His last known communication was a call to a number tied to Spurlock.
In March 2021, Stefansky’s skeletal remains were found at Rye Patch Recreation Area in Pershing County, Nevada.
Following public exposure through a podcast interview with Stefansky’s mother, Spurlock became convinced that co-conspirator Will Larsen was cooperating with authorities. In response, he conspired with another individual to murder Larsen and his wife—a plan that involved interstate travel between Nevada and California.
Both Larsen and his wife were killed, and their bodies were found discarded along US Highway 395. Spurlock also robbed Larsen after the murders.
“This conviction reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the devastating loss of lives,” said FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto, acknowledging the multi-agency effort that brought Spurlock to justice.
After a four-week trial, the jury took just a day and a half to convict Spurlock of:
Murder-for-hire
Marijuana trafficking
Tampering with a witness
Causing death using a firearm during a violent crime
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du has scheduled sentencing for December 16, with Spurlock facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, targeting high-level criminal enterprises. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Penelope Brady led the prosecution, emphasizing law enforcement’s dedication to dismantling violent drug networks.
