NJ Woman Admits Trying To Hire Hitman Via Internet Web Site
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 28-year-old New Jersey woman has pleaded guilty to a harebrained scheme: hiring a hitman over the Internet to kill her former boyfriend's new girlfriend, then trying to pay for the hit with a stolen credit card number.
Federal prosecutor Arlene Fisk says that when defendant Marissa Mark wanted a hitman, she went online and found a web site called "hitmanforhire.com," then made plans to pay alleged hitman Essam Eid -- who went by the name Tony Luciano -- to bump off her female rival.
"Tony Luciano sent an e-mail to Mark confirming that payment could be made through direct deposit, and provided an account number into which payment could be placed," Fisk said in court today. "Mark e-mailed Tony Luciano and asked (if she could) pay the contract through Paypal."
But Mack tried to pay with stolen credit information, and Paypal held up the payment. So the alleged hitman then went to the intended target, told her he was hired to kill her, but would let her live for a payment in cash.
Authorities got involved, raided Eid's home in Las Vegas, and the plot was dead (see related story).
Mack will be sentenced at a later date. The alleged hitman is awaiting trial on extortion charges in California.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
