A Little Rock, Arkansas man has admitted guilt in a first-degree murder case after a fatal encounter stemming from a Craigslist sale. Jeramye Morgan Hobbs, 26, entered a guilty plea on Thursday, accepting a reduced charge for the killing of Frank Steinsiek, whom he initially met through the online marketplace.
Hobbs’ court appearance in Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright’s court was initially scheduled for an omnibus hearing. However, a plea deal was reached that morning, according to deputy prosecutor Scott Duncan. Alongside the first-degree murder charge, Hobbs also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and second-degree battery. He received a 60-year prison sentence as a result of the plea agreement, which also led to the dismissal of a theft of property charge.
The charges against Hobbs originated from a February 2015 incident. He was initially charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery, and theft of property in connection to the death of 56-year-old Frank Steinsiek. Steinsiek, a Sherwood appliance technician, had arranged to meet Hobbs in a south Little Rock warehouse to sell a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle he had advertised on Craigslist. According to police reports, Hobbs shot Steinsiek and stole the motorcycle. Steinsiek’s white Ford F-150 pickup truck and a U-Haul trailer were also taken from the scene, though the pickup was later recovered by authorities.
The investigation took a turn when Hobbs contacted the police after seeing news reports about the homicide. He claimed to have purchased a motorcycle from a man named Frank and even presented the motorcycle to the police. However, inconsistencies in his account led detectives to suspect his involvement in Steinsiek’s death. Hobbs was arrested after he could not maintain a consistent story, and police eventually obtained a confession.
Further complicating his legal issues, Hobbs was also charged with second-degree battery in July. This charge stemmed from an incident where he assaulted a patient at the State Hospital while undergoing a court-ordered mental evaluation. Despite this incident, he was deemed fit to stand trial.
The plea agreement finalized on Thursday involved downgrading the capital murder charge to first-degree murder and dropping the theft of property charge. Prosecutors consulted with Steinsiek’s family for over an hour to ensure their approval of the plea terms before proceeding.
In a somber courtroom scene, Hobbs, wearing a navy-blue jail jumpsuit and handcuffs, appeared four hours after the scheduled court time. Steinsiek’s widow, accompanied by friends and family, was present in the front row, visibly emotional as Hobbs admitted to luring Steinsiek to the warehouse, shooting him, and stealing his motorcycle when questioned by Judge Wright.
Judge Wright accepted the plea deal, sentencing Hobbs to 40 years for first-degree murder, 20 years for aggravated robbery, and six years for second-degree battery. The sentences for murder and robbery are to be served consecutively, while the battery sentence will run concurrently. Hobbs will receive credit for time served, including 668 days for the murder and robbery charges and 518 days for the battery charge.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with online marketplaces like Craigslist, particularly when arranging in-person meetings with strangers for transactions. While Craigslist can be a useful platform for commerce, exercising caution and prioritizing safety is crucial for all users.
