All articles tagged with #murder for hire plot
Originally Published 6 months ago — by The Hollywood Reporter
R. Kelly was hospitalized after an apparent overdose in prison, with his lawyer alleging a murder-for-hire plot by prison officials to kill him due to his plans to expose corruption. Kelly remains in solitary confinement amid these claims, which are currently unconfirmed by authorities.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by USA TODAY
A 96-year-old California woman, Violet Evelyn Alberts, was found dead in her home in a murder-for-hire plot allegedly orchestrated by individuals who financially exploited her. The scheme involved elder abuse, fraud, and manipulation of legal documents, leading to the fraudulent acquisition of her property. Four suspects have been arrested and charged, with one recently being arrested for murder and conspiracy to murder Alberts. The motive for her death is believed to be the acceleration of her passing to fraudulently obtain her property.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
Two Canadian Hells Angels members and an Iranian drug trafficker plotted to kill two Iranian dissidents in Maryland, communicating through encrypted messages and planning a $350,000 payment for the "job." The Iranian man, believed to have ties to Iran's intelligence services, and the Hells Angels members are charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. The Iranian man is also accused of targeting Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CBS News
The Justice Department has indicted three men, including one in Iran, for allegedly orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting an Iranian dissident and a woman in Maryland. The plot, which involved hired gunmen, was foiled by authorities. This is not the first time the Justice Department has brought charges against individuals from around the world, including from Iran, for allegedly targeting dissidents living in the U.S.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Federal prosecutors have charged the leader of an Iranian criminal network and two Canadian nationals, including a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, with plotting to murder two Iranian dissidents living in Maryland. The defendants allegedly planned the murders through encrypted messaging and discussed pricing and logistics for the killings. The Treasury Department also took action against the criminal network, which it said targets Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Daily Beast
The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that the leader of an Iranian assassination network recruited Hells Angels members to organize the murder of two defectors living in Maryland, with the network reportedly carrying out assassinations and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions. The accused, Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, allegedly agreed to pay $350,000 for the hit, and his illicit empire is protected by Iranian security forces. The plot involved communication on an encrypted network and a $20,000 payment for travel expenses. The FBI, alongside Canadian authorities, uncovered the plan, leading to the arrest of the Hells Angels members. Zindashti, who resides in Iran, remains out of reach for U.S. authorities.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
The US Department of Justice has charged an Iranian national and two Canadians, including a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, for allegedly plotting to assassinate an Iranian defector living in Maryland. The indictment alleges that the Iranian national, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, orchestrated the murder-for-hire plot, and the US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions against him, describing him as a drug trafficker who targets Iranian dissidents for assassination and kidnapping. The plot involved discussions of assembling a "team of gunmen" to carry out the murders, with financial details and communications outlined in the indictment. The three individuals involved each face charges related to conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of murder-for-hire.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by WBAL TV Baltimore
The U.S. Department of Justice charged an Iranian and two Canadian nationals with plotting the killings of two Maryland residents in a murder-for-hire scheme. The Iranian, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, is described as a narcotics trafficker who targeted Iranian dissidents at the direction of the Iranian regime. A member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, Damion Patrick John Ryan, was responsible for assembling a team of gunmen to carry out the plot. All three men are charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
Charlie Adelson, a Florida man, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in the 2014 murder-for-hire plot of his former brother-in-law, Dan Markel. Adelson, a periodontist, is the fourth person convicted in connection with the murder. Prosecutors allege that Adelson orchestrated the plan, while his then-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua organized the hitmen. Adelson maintains his innocence, claiming the murder was carried out to extort money from his family. Adelson's mother, Donna Adelson, has also been charged in connection with the murder and pleaded not guilty.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
A murder-for-hire plot targeting a prominent Sikh American activist living in New York City, orchestrated by someone within India's government, was foiled by an elaborate sting operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The plot was uncovered after an informant working for the DEA received a tip from Nikhil Gupta, a resident of India known for his involvement in drug and weapons trafficking. Gupta had been recruited by an Indian government official to arrange the assassination. A DEA agent posed as a hitman, and Gupta provided information about the target's address and routine. However, the assassination could not take place during high-level visits between US and Indian officials, including President Biden and Prime Minister Modi, to avoid geopolitical fallout. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and awaits extradition to the US. The Indian government denies involvement in the murder in Canada and has opened an investigation into organized criminals and terrorists.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
US federal prosecutors have charged an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, in an alleged murder-for-hire plot to assassinate a Sikh political activist in New York City. Gupta, along with an unnamed Indian official, set up a meeting with an undercover officer posing as a hitman to target the victim, who is described as an attorney and vocal critic of the Indian government. The victim is believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of "Sikhs for Justice." Gupta has been charged with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. The case highlights tensions between the US and India, as another Sikh separatist was recently assassinated in Canada, with the Canadian government linking India to the murder.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Insider
The US Supreme Court has halted the execution of Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma man who has been on death row for over two decades and has faced multiple execution dates. The decision came after the state's attorney general said his life should be spared. Glossip has been involved in a long-standing battle to live after he was incarcerated accused of a 1997 murder-for-hire plot. The high court put the execution on hold indefinitely after Oklahoma's attorney general said Glossip should not be killed later this month.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by New York Post
The US Supreme Court has halted the execution of Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Glossip while it reviews whether his trial and conviction in an alleged murder-for-hire plot was unfair. Glossip, who has had nine different execution dates and three last meals since his 1998 conviction and death sentence for capital murder, was scheduled to be put to death on May 18. Two independent investigations have raised doubts about the prosecution’s case against Glossip.