BOSTON, MA - A Connecticut man was charged today in U.S. District Court in Boston with Murder-For-Hire.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Glenn N. Anderson; Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Division; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Chief Michael T. Ohrenberger of the Pembroke Police Department; Chief Walter L. Sweeney of the Hanover Police Department; Chief Neil M. O’Leary of the Wolcott Connecticut Police Department and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; announced today that DORIAN J. MEMBRENO, 25, of Bridgeport, Conn., was arrested today on a Complaint charging him with Murder-For-Hire on or about March 23, 2010, in Pembroke, Mass.

The Affidavit in support of the Complaint unsealed today revealed that MEMBRENO allegedly was hired by the victim’s former boyfriend to drive to Pembroke from Connecticut on March 23, 2010, to kill the victim in exchange for receiving payment. When the victim pulled into her driveway that evening, MEMBRENO is alleged to have approached the vehicle and shot the victim multiple times in an effort to kill her. It is alleged that MEMBRENO then fled the scene and was stopped by Hanover Police a short time later. The firearm used to shoot the victim was recovered from the vehicle driven by MEMBRENO, along with photographs of the victim and driving directions from Connecticut to the victim’s place of employment in Hanover, Mass. The victim was later transported to the hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds.

U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, “Mr. Membreno is charged with the unconscionable act of plotting to kill someone. Anyone who commits or attempts to commit violent acts in an attempt to murder will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said, “We have worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this matter and we are pleased that the defendant is now facing a federal indictment. The ability to refer cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is an important tool and one that allows us to better protect the public.”

“Fighting violent crime is part of the mission of ATF, it’s what we do,” stated Glenn N. “Andy” Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division. “Murder For Hire is about as violent as it gets and we will do our best to see that justice is served in this case,” Anderson concluded.

Pembroke Chief Michael T. Ohrenberger said, “The Pembroke Police Department is pleased to see the case move forward. I want to thank our local, state and federal partners for their unprecedented cooperation and assistance in this investigation.”

Hanover Chief Walter Sweeney said, “I want to commend the Hanover Police Officers and Dispatchers who reacted quickly and professionally to information received from the Pembroke Police Department. Officers identified the wanted motor vehicle and conducted a high risk motor vehicle stop resulting in the operator being placed in custody.”

Chief Neil M. O’Leary of the Wolcott Police Department said, “Through successful multi jurisdictional cooperation between states and their law enforcement officials, we will ensure that justice is done for the victim in this matter.”

“The Massachusetts State Police have been, and remain, committed to working with our law enforcement partners to determining all the facts of this incident and bringing this case to resolution,” said Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police.

MEMBRENO’s initial appearance is set for today at 2:45 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Leo T. Sorokin.

If convicted, MEMBRENO faces imprisonment up to 20 years, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Pembroke Police Department, Hanover Police Department and the Wolcott Connecticut Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan in Ortiz’s Strike Force Unit.

The details contained in the Complaint Affidavit are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Return to Top