Florida man accused of hiring hitman to kill neighbor after feud over drone

A 69-year-old Clermont, Florida man is facing a new felony charge after investigators alleged he attempted to hire a fellow inmate to kill a neighbor. David John Butka, who was already behind bars, is accused of offering the inmate $5,000 to carry out the killing, according to WFTV. Investigators said the neighbor had been a witness in two previous cases involving Butka.

Butka was scheduled to appear in court and leave jail on Sept. 17. However, another inmate reported the plan to a jail supervisor the day before and handed over handwritten notes that he said documented Butka’s instructions. Instead of being released, Butka was arrested on a charge of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jim Vachon said investigators are still trying to understand why Butka would want a witness killed just as he was about to leave jail. He said anger or revenge could be possible motives, although investigators have not established one. Vachon also said the inmate who was approached never intended to carry out the killing.

It all started with a drone flying near a neighbor’s house

The dispute began in July, when deputies responded to a neighborhood conflict in Clermont. Butka had been flying a drone near a neighbor’s home, which the arrest affidavit described as part of an ongoing civil dispute. A witness told deputies she saw Butka throw a rock at the neighbor’s passing truck, while the driver said something struck the side of the vehicle.

Butka denied throwing anything and said he was only flying his drone. Deputies arrested him on an aggravated assault charge after concluding that he had the intent, opportunity, and ability to cause harm. The neighbor later told investigators that Butka had previously stalked and harassed them, causing significant emotional distress.

The murder solicitation charge stems from what investigators say happened while Butka was being held in the Lake County Jail. According to the affidavit, he offered another inmate $5,000 to kill the neighbor and gave him the target’s first name, physical description, morning routine, and directions to the home.

Investigators said Butka also told the inmate he had about $1.3 million in the bank. They also point to a financial trail. Butka signed a property release allowing his credit card to be given to the inmate’s wife, and records show that $300 from the card was later deposited into the inmate’s commissary account.

Butka disputes the accusation. He admitted discussing his case and credit card with the inmate but denied asking him to kill anyone or giving him information about the neighbor. He said he had authorized the inmate to charge $2,400 to his card to help him find a different attorney and claimed he was instead the victim of fraud.

He also alleged that it was the other inmate who first brought up killing the witness. Unlike a typical murder-for-hire case, no professional hitman was involved, as police allege Butka simply tried to recruit a fellow inmate. However, Florida law does not require the solicited person to carry out or even attempt the murder for the charge to apply.

Soliciting a capital felony such as first-degree murder is classified as a first-degree felony in Florida, which can carry up to 30 years in prison. The case now heads toward the courts, where prosecutors will have to prove allegations that Butka continues to deny.

Butka remains held without bond, and both the aggravated assault and solicitation cases are expected to move forward in Lake County court.