Influencer to Felon: The Astonishing Collapse of Ashley Grayson

Person in orange jumpsuit sitting, head down, behind bars.

A Texas influencer’s online feud spirals into a shocking murder-for-hire plot, landing her a 10-year federal prison sentence.

At a Glance

  • Ashley Grayson, 35, from Dallas, Texas, sentenced to 10 years for murder-for-hire plot
  • Target was a Mississippi woman Grayson believed created fake profiles to damage her reputation
  • Grayson offered $20,000 per victim to a Memphis couple to carry out the murders
  • Convicted in March 2024 for using interstate means to further criminal activities
  • Case highlights dangerous escalation of online conflicts into real-world crimes

From Social Media Star to Federal Inmate

Ashley Grayson, a 35-year-old social media influencer from Dallas, Texas, has experienced a stunning fall from grace. Once celebrated as a bestselling author, business coach, and philanthropist, Grayson now faces 10 years in federal prison for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot. The target of her scheme was a woman from Southaven, Mississippi, whom Grayson believed had created fake online profiles to damage her reputation.

In September 2022, Grayson’s online feud took a dark turn when she contacted a Memphis couple, offering them $20,000 per victim to carry out the murders. Unbeknownst to Grayson, her actions were being recorded, providing damning evidence for her eventual conviction.

The Unraveling of a Criminal Scheme

Grayson’s desperation became evident when she was captured on a recorded call offering an additional $5,000 for a quick execution of the plot. The Memphis couple, playing along, staged an attempt and sent a fake photo to Grayson, for which they received $10,000. This transaction would later serve as crucial evidence in the case against her.

“This was a twenty-first century crime where online feuds and senseless rivalries bled into the real world,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren. “Fortunately, no one was physically hurt in this case, but the victim and her family still felt a severe and emotional impact as the result of the defendant’s actions.”

The plot began to unravel in August 2022 when Grayson approached a Memphis woman to discuss a “business opportunity” in Dallas. This meeting set in motion a series of events that would lead to Grayson’s downfall. The Memphis woman, sensing something was amiss, recorded Grayson confirming the murder-for-hire plan, providing law enforcement with irrefutable evidence.

Justice Served

In July 2023, Grayson and her husband, Joshua, were indicted. While Joshua was acquitted, Ashley’s fate was sealed when she was convicted in March 2024. On October 31, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker handed down the 10-year prison sentence, along with three years of supervised release.

“This was a 21st-century crime where online feuds spilled into the real world,” Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney, remarked, highlighting the emotional toll on the victims despite no physical harm occurring.

FBI Special Agent Joe Carrico praised the investigation and federal efforts to prevent violence, underscoring the seriousness with which law enforcement views such threats, even when they originate in the digital realm. The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neal Oldham and Bryce Phillips and investigated by the FBI and ATF, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when online conflicts escalate into real-world criminal activities.

A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age

The downfall of Ashley Grayson from an aspirational business coach to a convicted felon serves as a grim warning about the dangers of online enmities and the severe consequences of taking them into the real world. While no physical harm occurred, the psychological impact on the intended victims was undeniable, demonstrating the far-reaching effects of such criminal schemes.

As social media continues to play an increasingly significant role in our lives, Grayson’s case stands as a stark reminder of the need for responsible online behavior and the importance of resolving conflicts through legal and ethical means. The 10-year sentence not only punishes Grayson for her actions but also sends a clear message to others who might consider similar schemes: the law takes such threats seriously, regardless of their origin in the digital or physical world.

Sources:

  1. Texas social media influencer sentenced for plot to murder Mississippi woman over criticism on internet
  2. Texas influencer sentenced to 10 years in prison for murder-for-hire plot

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