In a stunning escalation of a long-standing child custody dispute, social media influencer Gabriela “Gabbie” Gonzalez and her attorney father, Francisco Gonzalez, have been arrested by law enforcement.
According to extensive court documents and investigative details reported by MSN and Court TV on May 19, 2026, the father-daughter duo is facing serious felony conspiracy charges after allegedly attempting to orchestrate a dark-web murder-for-hire plot targeting Gabbie’s former partner, pop singer Jack Avery.
Gabbie Gonzalez, 24, a lifestyle influencer with a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, was arrested in Humboldt County, California, while trying to board a flight and was subsequently transferred to Los Angeles County, where she is currently being held on a $2 million bond.
Separately, her father, Francisco Gonzalez, 59- a prominent civil trial lawyer from Florida- was apprehended in Seminole County on an out-of-state California warrant and is awaiting extradition.
The primary target of the alleged conspiracy, Jack Avery, rose to global mainstream prominence as a former member of the popular boy band Why Don’t We.
A Years-Long Custody Feud Takes a Dangerous Turn
At the absolute center of the criminal case is a bitter, highly litigated custody battle over the former couple’s seven-year-old daughter, Lavender.
Prosecutors allege that the planning for the murder plot spans back multiple years, initially beginning in early 2021.
According to the unsealed criminal complaint obtained by TMZ, Gabbie Gonzalez and her co-conspirator friend, Kai Cordrey, initially attempted to recruit a former MMA fighter and boxing trainer, Dustin Barca, in March 2021 to travel to Kauai, Hawaii (where Avery resides) to physically threaten and pressure the singer into surrendering his parental custody rights.
Barca refused to participate in any illegal activities and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
When intimidation tactics failed, investigators reveal that the scope of the conspiracy turned lethal.
Prosecutors allege that Gabbie, her father Francisco, and Cordrey shifted their focus to the dark web to find a contract killer, exploring cryptocurrency pathways to finance the operation.
The case took a decisive turn when a federal undercover agent posing as a hitman initiated contact with the family.
On a recorded telephone call, Francisco Gonzalez reportedly utilized coded language to verify Avery’s personal identity and discuss the logistical structuring of payments to be executed upon the completion of the hit.
Key Witnesses Step Forward and Hidden Ties Emerge
The years-long investigation finally broke open due to critical testimony provided by close associates within Gabbie’s inner circle.
According to court records, one witness admitted to investigators that Francisco Gonzalez had funneled more than $10,000 to him under the false pretenses of “web development payments,” which was actually intended to facilitate the search for a hitman.
Also, the unsealed documents brought to light two major unexpected witnesses: Gabbie’s former live-in nanny, McKenzie Ferry, and her estranged husband, Cody Clayburn.
The revelation of a husband shocked many of Gabbie’s social media followers, who were unaware of her private 2022 marriage to Clayburn, which reportedly fractured by 2024.
Following the news of the arrest, Clayburn publicly shared news coverage of the bust on his personal Instagram account with the caption, “Karma.”
Jack Avery Seeks Restraining Orders and Sole Custody
The sudden arrests have provided a terrifying context to past statements made by Jack Avery.
In a previous appearance on the Zach Sang Show, Avery had subtly hinted at the hidden danger, recalling a traumatic incident where FBI agents suddenly arrived at his residence to warn him that his life was in active jeopardy.
“The FBI showed up at my door… I stayed in my house for like a month straight, I didn’t leave.
I was so scared, I was looking out of my window every night.” – Jack Avery, Zach Sang Show
At the time of the interview, Avery stated he did not know his ex-partner was connected to the threat, even going on to praise Gabbie as an “incredible mom.”
Following the formal filing of criminal counts this week, Avery moved swiftly through the family court system to protect his daughter.
A Los Angeles judge has already approved a temporary restraining order forcing Gabbie to stay at least 100 yards away from Avery and Lavender, while Avery aggressively pursues full emergency physical and legal custody with zero visitation rights for Gonzalez as the criminal trial moves toward an upcoming arraignment.
