Young man sent to prison for attempted murder for hire plot

LAREDO, Texas - A 23-year-old man has been sentenced following his conviction of murder-for-hire using interstate and foreign commerce facilities, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Alejandro Cardona-Rodriguez pleaded guilty May 11, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana has now ordered Cardona-Rodriguez to serve the statutory maximum of 10 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard about his assaultive conduct against another inmate while pending sentencing. In handing down the sentence, the court noted his continued propensity for violence and the seriousness of the offense that involved negotiating with someone to kill another human being.

Cardona-Rodriguez came to the attention of law enforcement around January 2023. He had been in communication with someone via Facebook as well as WhatsApp text and voice messages negotiating a fee for the murder of one of his ex-girlfriend's boyfriends. He also provided the location and photos of where the potential victim could be found.

At the time of his plea, Cardona-Rodriguez admitted to using interstate and foreign facilities with the intent to commit murder and promise or agreement to pay for the murder.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI and the Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ellen Smyth and Mike Makens prosecuted the case.