New Jersey Man Charged with Murder-for-Hire Scheme Targeting Minor Girl

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was indicted for his role in a murder-for-hire scheme to kill a minor girl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. 

Armando Conceicao, 57, is charged in a two-count indictment with conspiracy to commit murder for hire and causing another to travel interstate or using interstate facilities with intent that a murder for hire be committed.

According to the indictment:

In May 2021, Conceicao communicated with another individual for the purposes of killing or locating another person to kill the victim. Conceicao met with this individual around that time and provided victim’s address in Texas, a photograph of the victim, and a quantity of cash so that individual could conduct reconnaissance at the victim’s residence. The individual drove from New Jersey to Texas and photographed the victim’s residence, a car belonging to the victim’s father, and surrounding area. Conceicao instructed individual to proceed with the scheme to murder the victim.

The murder-for-hire charge is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Olta Bejleri of the Criminal Division in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.