Ex-Soldier ‘Rambo’ Charged in Plot to Kill Federal Agent

Photo Credit: Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters

Photo Credit: Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters

A former US solder nicknamed Rambo pleaded not guilty Saturday to charges he plotted with phony Colombian drug traffickers to kill a federal agent for $800,000.

Joseph Hunter, stocky and wearing a wrinkled gray prison jumpsuit, was held after the brief appearance in federal court in Manhattan. His lawyer declined to comment.

An indictment unsealed Friday described the 48-year-old Hunter as a contract killer and leader of a trio of former soldiers who were trained snipers. Hunter, a resident of Thailand, was flown Friday evening to New York after he was expelled from Thailand, US Attorney Preet Bharara said.

Hunter was charged with conspiracy, attempting to import cocaine and plotting to kill a law enforcement agent. When asked by US Magistrate Judge Frank Haas about his plea, Hunter responded: “Not guilty, sir.”

According to the indictment, Hunter served in the US Army from 1983 to 2004 before becoming a contract killer who successfully arranged several slayings outside the United States. Authorities didn’t give details.

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