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The Femme Fatale's Freedom: What Happened After Tara Lambert's March 2022 Prison Release?

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As of December 23, 2025, former Ohio model Tara Lambert, whose infamous murder-for-hire plot captivated true crime audiences, is a free woman. Her story is one of dramatic legal reversals, a shocking plea deal, and a five-year sentence that was significantly reduced by time served, culminating in her confirmed release from the Ohio Reformatory for Women in March 2022. This article delves into the convoluted timeline of the case, the details of the crime, and what is known about the "Circleville Femme Fatale's" life now, nearly three years after she walked out of prison. The case of Tara Lambert, also known by her married name Tara Arbogast, remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of extreme jealousy and the shocking lengths a person can go to settle a domestic dispute. Her journey through the justice system was anything but straightforward, involving two separate convictions for the same crime, a successful appeal, and a final plea bargain that ultimately secured her freedom much sooner than her initial seven-year sentence suggested.

The Complete Biography and Legal Timeline of Tara Lambert

Tara Lambert first gained notoriety in 2015 when she was arrested for attempting to hire a hitman to kill Kellie Cooke, the ex-wife of her husband, Brandon Lambert. The case quickly drew national attention, dubbing her the "Circleville Femme Fatale" due to her former aspirations as a model and the sensational nature of the crime.
  • Full Name: Tara Lambert (also known as Tara Arbogast)
  • Known Alias/Nickname: The "Circleville Femme Fatale"
  • Approximate Date of Birth: January 1983 (Based on age 33 at 2016 conviction)
  • Hometown: Circleville, Ohio (South Bloomfield, Ohio)
  • Husband: Brandon Lambert
  • Victim/Target: Kellie Cooke (Brandon Lambert’s ex-wife and mother of his children)
  • Original Crime: Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Murder (Murder-for-Hire Plot)
  • Initial Arrest: July 28, 2015
  • Initial Conviction: January 2016 (Sentenced to 7 years in prison)
  • Conviction Overturned: 2017/2018 (Served approximately 16 months)
  • Final Plea & Sentence: July 2018 (Pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Murder, sentenced to 5 years with time served)
  • Confirmed Release Date: March 2022
Lambert's legal saga was marked by a series of dramatic twists. Her first conviction in 2016, which resulted in a seven-year sentence, was later overturned by the Ohio 4th District Court of Appeals. The appellate court found a procedural error on the part of the prosecutor, ruling that the case should never have been allowed to proceed, which led to her temporary release after serving only 16 months in the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville.

The Shocking Details of the Murder-for-Hire Plot

The evidence against Tara Lambert was overwhelming and disturbing, largely due to the fact that the supposed hitman she hired was actually an undercover police officer. The plot centered on her desire to eliminate Kellie Cooke, who was the mother of her two stepchildren. The meeting between Lambert and the undercover officer, which took place at a local fast-food restaurant, was recorded by authorities. During the conversation, Lambert provided a $125 down payment for the murder, demonstrating a clear intent to carry out the crime. Perhaps the most chilling detail to emerge from the recorded conversation was Lambert’s casual suggestion for how the body should be disposed of. She infamously told the undercover officer to "just put her in a chopper," referring to a wood-chipper. This callous remark highlighted the severity of her intent and became a central, sensationalized element of the case in the media. The victim, Kellie Cooke, spoke out about the terror of the plot, emphasizing the trauma of knowing her life was in danger over a domestic dispute. Cooke made it clear that Lambert's actions were driven by a desire to remove her from the lives of her children.

The Plea Deal and Confirmed Release in March 2022

Following the successful appeal that overturned her initial seven-year sentence, the state of Ohio decided to retry the case. Instead of facing another lengthy and uncertain trial, Tara Lambert—now often referred to as Tara Arbogast—opted for a plea bargain. In July 2018, she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. Judge P. Randall Knece accepted the plea and sentenced her to five years in state prison. The key factor in her early release was the time she had already served. The 16 months she spent in prison following her original conviction were credited toward her new five-year sentence. This significant time served, combined with potential good behavior credit, drastically reduced her remaining time. State detention records confirmed that her projected release date was March 2022. The March 2022 release date meant that the former model, whose crime was a national headline, was back in the public sphere much sooner than many anticipated. Her total time incarcerated was significantly less than the seven years originally imposed.

Tara Lambert's Current Status: What is the "Femme Fatale" Doing Now in 2025?

Since her confirmed release in March 2022, Tara Lambert, or Tara Arbogast, has largely disappeared from the public eye, which is common for individuals on post-release control. Her sentencing included a period of post-release control, which often involves strict supervision, regular check-ins, and potentially an ankle monitor, depending on the terms set by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The intentional lack of public information about her current activities suggests a conscious effort to maintain a low-profile life away from the true crime spotlight. Entities relevant to her post-release life include:
  • Pickaway County: The jurisdiction where her crime occurred and where her post-release control is likely managed.
  • Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC): The agency responsible for her supervision.
  • Post-Release Control: The mandatory period of supervision following her prison term, which ensures compliance with the law.
While specific details about her job, residence, or personal relationships in late 2025 are not publicly available, her freedom is conditional. Any violation of her post-release control terms could result in her being sent back to the Ohio Reformatory for Women to serve the remainder of her sentence. For the "Circleville Femme Fatale," the legal consequences of her actions continue to shape her life, even years after the shocking murder-for-hire plot first came to light. The case serves as a permanent reminder of the dark side of domestic conflict and the dramatic power of the American legal system to both convict and overturn.
The Femme Fatale's Freedom: What Happened After Tara Lambert's March 2022 Prison Release?
tara lambert released
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