A US district judge will on October 26 sentence a 43-year-old Trinidadian man, who has pleaded guilty to the charge that he used the US mail system to solicit, plan, and pay for the murder of his former girlfriend’s new love interest.
Justice William P Dimitrouleas could also impose a ten-year term in federal prison and a US$250,000 fine on Ryan Hadeed, who lives in Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Hadeed pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court to the charge of using the mail to commit murder-for-hire.
It said as part of his guilty plea, Hadeed admitted that in September 2021, he mailed a letter to the intended hitman requesting murder services:
“I need someone eliminated. I’ve been told you can arrange that. $10,000 All in cash and upfront. Person located in Tampa,” he wrote.
The DOJ also reported that in the letter and in two others, Hadeed instructed the intended hitman to signal his acceptance of the offer by posting marked sheets of paper on a store-front window, among other things.
On December 23, last year, Hadeed made his first appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal magistrate court and according to the complaint affidavit, on November 10, the intended hitman received a final mailing from Hadeed that included a description and pictures of the man who Hadeed wanted to be killed, the victim’s home address and likely travel schedule, as well as a deadline for the murder.
Also inside the envelope was $10,000 cash, says the affidavit. It is alleged that Hadeed left the country on a one-way ticket the same day the hitman received the cash and pictures of the intended victim.
Law enforcement officers learned of the plan. During a secondary customs inspection of Hadeed when he returned from his international trip, additional evidence of the crime was uncovered, according to the affidavit.
Pursuant to a court-issued warrant, law enforcement officers arrested Hadeed on December 22.
The intended victim, who remains alive, is romantically involved with Hadeed’s former girlfriend, says the criminal complaint affidavit.
Hadeed is charged with one count of using interstate commerce facilities – the U.S. mail system – in the commission of murder for hire, in violation of 18 U.S.C. If convicted, Hadeed faces up to ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Hadeed was a freelancer contributor to Guardian Media Limited in Trinidad. His column has since been discontinued.
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