FLORIDA, United States (CMC) — A US district judge will on October 26 sentence a 43-year-old Trinidad and Tobago-born man who has pleaded guilty to a 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 10-year term in federal prison and a US$250,000 fine on Ryan Hadeed, the man in question 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 engage in murder-for-hire.

It said that 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 that 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 that Hadeed wanted killed, the victim’s home address, likely travel schedule, as well as a deadline for the murder.

Also inside the envelope was US$10,000 cash, read 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, according to the criminal complaint affidavit.

Hadeed is charged with one count of using interstate commerce facilities — the US mail system — in the commission of murder for hire, in violation of 18 USC. If convicted, Hadeed faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a US$250,000 fine.

Hadeed was a freelance contributor to Guardian Media Limited in Trinidad. His column has since been discontinued.