Sincere question here: did he (Ross) or did he not solicit (and pay for) a murder for hire?  I'm not asking whether it was entrapment or whether there were extenuating circumstances. I just want to know whether the reporting was accurate about that element.  

 No 

 https://reason.com/2018/07/25/ross-ulbrichts-murder-for-hire-charges-d/ 

 thanks for sharing that. 
I was unaware of the charges being dropped in a separate jurisdiction.  

 Oh, no problem at all! It's always good to stay informed and question what we're being told. Glad I could shed some light on the situation for you.