Two men arrested in Montgomery murder for hire plot

Montgomery police have arrested two men in a murder for hire plot.

According to court records, around 7:00 p.m. 0n August 26, 45-year-old Ernest Jackson asked Tony Hawthorne, Jr. to commit murder of a male victim.

Police say Hawthorne shot the man multiple times in the 1200 block of Hugh Street.

Hawthorne was taken into custody on January 2, 2026 where police say he confessed to being hired and to doing the shooting.

Hawthorne has been charged with attempted murder, while Ernest Jackson has been charged with Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder.

Both men are in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.