Rutland, Vermont – Berk Eratay of Las Vegas pled guilty in federal court to charges related to a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of Danville resident Gregory Davis in 2018. The plea agreement could potentially lead to a prison sentence of up to 25 years for Eratay. He is one of four defendants involved in the case, with one defendant, Serhat Gumrukcu of Los Angeles, awaiting trial as the alleged mastermind behind the killing.
Prosecutors stated that Eratay acted as a middleman in connecting a wealthy businessman with individuals who carried out the murder after a failed business deal. The guilty pleas from Eratay mark progress in the case, with two other defendants already reaching plea agreements and awaiting sentencing.
The murder of Gregory Davis stemmed from suspicions of fraud tied to an oil deal with Gumrukcu, who feared that allegations of fraud could impact his ownership stake in a biotechnology company valued at over $100 million. Eratay’s plea agreement outlines his role in providing false information to Davis on behalf of Gumrukcu, who allegedly orchestrated the murder plot.
Court filings reveal that Gumrukcu instructed Eratay to find someone to carry out the murder, leading to the involvement of other defendants in the scheme. The exchange of funds and coordination for the murder-for-hire operation were detailed in the plea agreement, shedding light on the events leading up to Davis’ tragic death.
Despite the gravity of the charges against Eratay, he could potentially receive a prison sentence of no more than 25 years under the terms of the plea agreement. The federal sentencing guidelines, while advisory, will play a crucial role in determining the ultimate sentencing decision. Chief Federal Judge Geoffrey Crawford has yet to schedule a sentencing date for Eratay.