Mohammed Chowdhury, a Boston man, was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison for attempting to hire a contract killer to murder his ex-wife and her boyfriend. He offered to pay $8,000 to someone he believed was a hitman, but who was actually an undercover federal agent. Chowdhury pleaded guilty to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. He was sentenced to 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Law enforcement received a tip in November 2022 that Chowdhury was looking for help to have his ex-wife killed. He had reportedly paid someone to carry out the crime, but the person had taken the money without following through. Chowdhury told an informant that he needed the murders to be done quickly and was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen, even robbing a store for the money. An undercover agent pretending to be a hitman contacted him about his plot, and Chowdhury met with undercover agents multiple times in December 2022 and January 2023 to arrange the murders.
Chowdhury expressed frustration with his ex-wife for not letting him see his children and for her Westernization and independent thinking. He provided agents with photographs of his ex-wife and her boyfriend, as well as their work schedules and addresses. Chowdhury wanted the killings to look like robberies and beatings, with no evidence left behind that would point to him as a suspect. He agreed to pay $4,000 per murder, with a $500 deposit. On January 17, 2023, Chowdhury provided the deposit and was taken into custody.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy stated that Chowdhury’s conduct, along with the misogyny and dehumanization he expressed in trying to carry out the murders, show how dangerous he is. Chowdhury’s actions are described as the most extreme form of domestic violence, and all tools available will be used to protect women in abusive relationships. Chowdhury was previously charged in October 2019 with violating an Abuse Prevention Order that prohibited him from abusing, contacting, or coming near his ex-wife. He pleaded to sufficient facts and received a continuance without a finding.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen praised the FBI Boston’s Violent Crimes Task Force for thwarting Chowdhury’s deadly plot. She stated that anyone willing to hire a hitman to kill a family member and her boyfriend is a danger to the community. Chowdhury’s sentence ensures that he won’t be able to harm anyone for a significant period of time. The case highlights the need to lock up violent criminals like Chowdhury to protect the safety of the public. Law enforcement intervened after receiving information that Chowdhury was soliciting help to have his ex-wife killed, and an undercover agent posing as a hitman contacted him about the murder-for-hire plot.
Chowdhury’s sentence of 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release sends a clear message that such criminal acts will not be tolerated. The Boston man thought he could get away with murder, but the law enforcement intervention prevented a tragedy from occurring. Chowdhury’s disturbing behavior and actions, along with his attempt to hire a contract killer, underscore the extreme danger he poses to society. The case serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to protect individuals in abusive relationships and to take domestic violence seriously.
