Justin Bieber is used to being hunted by fans and paparazzi -- but not hitmen.
Don’t worry: No one was killed because the alleged murder plot was foiled by police, but the details are graphic.
Three men are accused of plotting to kill the pop star after he played a sold out show at Madison Square Garden in New York in November, reports HLN affiliate KRQE.
The alleged mastermind is Dana Martin, a man serving time in a New Mexico prison for raping and killing a 15-year-old girl in Vermont in 2000.
Police say this wildly out-of-control Bieber fever began when Martin recruited Mark Staake and his nephew Tanner Ruane -- while in prison -- to kill Bieber when they were released.
Martin allegedly asked the duo to go to Vermont to take out two of his acquaintances first with some very strict orders: They were allegedly ordered to strangle the victims with a paisley tie, the kind Martin used as a calling card, and Ruana was tasked with castrating the victims.
Investigators say Bieber was the next target, but Staake was arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants before carrying out any of the killings.
Police also recorded phone calls where Ruane tells Martin he's disappointed he couldn't carry out the murders.
Martin allegedly blew the whistle and foiled the plot he cooked up to kill his obsession. Apparently, Martin is so fixated on Bieber that he reportedly has a tattoo of the superstar on his leg. Staake and Ruane are in custody in Vermont and New York.
Beiber’s representative told HLN, “We take every precaution to protect and insure the safety of Justin and his fans.”
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