Federal Prosecutors Charge South Florida Man in Murder-for-Hire Plot

Miami, Florida – A 43-year-old Pembroke Pines, Florida man made his first appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal magistrate court today to face a charge that he used the U.S. mail system to solicit, plan, and pay for the murder of his former girlfriend’s new love interest.

According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Ryan Hadeed’s first piece of murder correspondence was his request to the intended hitman that said: “I need someone eliminated. I've been told you can arrange that. $10,000 All in cash and upfront. Person located in Tampa.”  It is alleged that in that first letter, mailed in September, and in two subsequent mailings, Hadeed instructed the intended hitman to signal acceptance of the offer by posting marked sheets of paper on his store-front window, among other things.  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 that Hadeed wanted 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. §1958.  If convicted, Hadeed faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

A pretrial detention hearing for Hadeed is scheduled for December 29, at 11:00 a.m., in federal magistrate court in Fort Lauderdale.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Miami Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Region; and Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Miami Region, announced the charges.

HSI Miami, USPIS Miami, and FDLE investigated the case, with assistance from Florida Highway Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph A. Cooley and Deric Zacca are prosecuting the case. 

A criminal complaint contains mere allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 21-mj-6697.  

###