In August 2013, Owens was arrested after allegedly trying to hire a hit man to kill his uncle. Court documents alleged that Owens offered $500 to a police informant he believed to be a hit man, and that he also provided the photo and address of his uncle, Ernest "Ernie" Widby. Widby was the founder and pastor of a local church, the New Zion Faith Center. Owens was charged with solicitation to commit first degree murder.