Boston man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire
BOSTON (WLNE) — The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, Joshua Levy and FBI SAC Cohen announced today that a Boston man has pleaded guilty to attempting to hire a contract killer to murder his wife and his wife’s new boyfriend.
Mohammed Chowdhury, 47, of Boston, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
Levy shared that in Nov. 2022, an anonymous tip was given to law enforcement that Chowdhury was seeking assistance in having his wife murdered.
According to police reports, Chowdhury told the potential hire that he needed the murder done as soon as possible and would get the money to him, even if it meant he had to rob a store in order to obtain the funds.
A text message from Chowdhury (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that on numerous occasions in Dec. 2022 and Jan. 2023, Chowdhury met with undercover agents posing as contracted killers, seeking assistance in murdering his wife and her new boyfriend.
During these meetings, Chowdhury explained that his motive was due to his wife’s denial of seeing his children.
Chowdhury further explained that he wanted the hired killer to rob and beat his wife and her boyfriend so that he would not be a suspect.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that Chowdhury provided the undercover agents with photographs of his wife and her new boyfriend, where they lived, and where they worked, including their work schedules.
Chowdhury agreed to pay $4,000 per murder, with a $500 deposit.
A photo of Chowdhury meeting with undercover agents. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts)
On Jan. 17, 2023, Chowdhury paid the undercover agents the $500 deposit and confirmed that he wanted the murders completed. He was immediately taken into federal custody, officials shared.
The charges provide for a sentence of up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
U. S. Attorney Joshua Levy commented, “Mr. Chowdhury’s callousness and disregard for human life is shocking. Not only did he ignore the restraining order filed against him by his wife, he sought to have her and her boyfriend killed.”
“This case is a stark reminder of the heinous nature of domestic violence and its potential to escalate into unthinkable acts. Violence, especially within the confines of domestic relationships, has no place here in Massachusetts, and we will use every available resource to ensure the safety of those at risk,” he added.
