'Hitman' enters Montgomery County tattoo shop with $40K, tells owner her ex-husband wants her dead

SANDY SPRING, Md. - An alleged hitman was arrested after police say he entered a Montgomery County tattoo shop with $40,000 in cash and told the owner that her ex-husband wanted her dead.

The incident reportedly occurred at the Tantric Tattoo Boutique in Sandy Spring on Oct. 22.

Officers say 65-year-old Leslie Smith Jr. appeared to be intoxicated when he entered the store. According to court documents, Smith called the owner by her name and told her that he was a hitman. Investigators say he told the owner that her ex-husband wanted her dead.

Court documents say Smith told the owner that would not let that happen because he was in love with her. Smith also allegedly told the owner he had previously killed 27 people, had multiple firearms in his vehicle and kept women as sex slaves, according to court records.

The owner told police that Smith even offered her $6,000 to show him her breasts and told her that he would drug and rape her. Before leaving the shop, investigators say Smith dropped an envelope with $40,000 inside which was recovered by the owner.

Police say three days later, Smith returned to the store again appearing intoxicated. Officers arrived a short time later and arrested Smith. He faces charges of stalking and of driving under the influence. Investigators say Smith currently has twelve firearms registered to him.