The Florida man seen here holding a toy gun has been arrested for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his ex-partner’s new boyfriend.

Ryan Hadeed, 43, is accused of corresponding with the intended hitman via the post.

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida said in a statement on 23rd December: “A 43-year-old Pembroke Pines, Florida man made his first appearance in Fort Lauderdale federal magistrate court today to face 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.

“According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Ryan Hadeed’s first piece of murder correspondence was his request to the intended hitman that said ‘I need someone eliminated. I’ve been told you can arrange that. USD 10,000 all in cash and upfront. Person located in Tampa’.”

The US Attorney’s Office added: “It is alleged that in that first letter, mailed in September, and in two subsequent mailings, Hadeed instructed the intended hitman to signal acceptance of the offer by posting marked sheets of paper on his store-front window, among other things.

“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 and likely travel schedule, as well as a deadline for the murder.

“Also inside the envelope was USD 10,000 cash, says 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.”

The police learned of the plot and additional evidence was uncovered during a secondary customs inspection of Hadeed when he returned from his international trip, according to the authorities.

The suspect was then arrested on 22nd December.

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida continued: “The intended victim, who remains alive, is romantically involved with Hadeed’s former girlfriend, says the criminal complaint affidavit.

“Hadeed is charged with one count of using interstate commerce facilities – the U.S. mail system – in the commission of murder for hire.”

If convicted, Hadeed faces up to 10 years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine.

A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for 11am on 29th December at the federal magistrate court in Fort Lauderdale.

The US Attorney’s Office said: “Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Miami Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Region; and Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Miami Region, announced the charges.

“HSI Miami, USPIS Miami, and FDLE investigated the case, with assistance from Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph A. Cooley and Deric Zacca are prosecuting the case.”