Three men, an Iranian and two Canadians, were indicted Monday on charges of conspiring to pay for and carry out a murder-for-hire plot against two people in Maryland.
The Department of Justice has indicted Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, of Iran, Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, of Canada, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, of Canada, on suspicion of conspiracy. Announced. The other killed two Maryland residents who had previously fled Iran between December 2020 and March 2021.
The suspects used the encrypted messaging service SkyECC to travel to the United States, carry out the murders, discuss the identities and locations of potential victims, and plan and structure how to carry out the murders. He allegedly planned the murder and hired individuals to negotiate payments to complete the murder. Jobs in Maryland.
“Today’s charges demonstrate a pattern of Iranian groups attempting to kill U.S. residents on U.S. soil,” said Suzanne Turner, deputy director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division. “The alleged conspiracy of Mr. Zindashti and his accomplices is reprehensible, the FBI will not tolerate such conduct against U.S. residents, and we will not tolerate such conduct against U.S. residents until they are brought to the U.S. to stand trial. We will continue to pursue these individuals.”
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Two Canadians and an Iranian have been charged with conspiring to carry out a murder-for-hire plot that targeted two Iranians who had fled the country and lived in Maryland. (Roberto Machado Noah/LightRocket via Getty Images; Morteza Nicobazul/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
According to the Justice Department, Zindashti and Ryan discussed working in the United States in January 2021, with Ryan insisting that “it would be difficult, but someone might do it.”
The same day, Ryan messaged Pearson about a “job” in Maryland. According to the Justice Department, Pearson told Ryan that “shooting him is probably the easiest thing for them to do,” adding, “That’s what they’re going to do.”
During the conversation, Ryan suggested that the two men “bring the proper equipment” and Pearson, as an example, had the recruits shoot the victim in the head “multiple times” and said, “You have to remove the head from the torso.” “It must be done,” he said. ”
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Later that month, Zindashti contacted Ryan on SkyECC for an update and was told that things were going well and that she needed the money. Ryan and Jindashti reportedly agreed to pay $350,000 to complete the job, plus an additional $20,000 in expenses.
Jindashti introduced Ryan to her co-conspirators, and the team grew to four.
That same co-conspirator sent Ryan information about the alleged victims, including photos and maps showing the victims’ addresses, according to the Justice Department.
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On or about March 8, 2021, the co-conspirators paid Ryan $20,000 for travel expenses.
All three are charged with conspiracy to commit murder using an interstate commerce facility. Pearson is also charged in the United States with one count of possession of a firearm by a fugitive and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien.
Ryan and Pearson are currently jailed in Canada on unrelated charges, while Zindashti resides in Iran.
“Let today’s indictments send a clear message to the people of Iran and the criminals they collaborate with who plan to commit murder on American soil. We will track them and deliver justice wherever they are,” said Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
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The investigation into this matter is ongoing and being conducted by the FBI with assistance from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Along with the indictment, the Department of Justice announced that the Treasury Department had taken action against the Zindashti criminal network, which targets Iranian dissidents and activists for kidnappings and assassinations at the direction of the Iranian regime.
Mr. Zindashti and several of his key associates are also prohibited from doing business with, involving U.S. individuals, or engaging in any transactions conducted within the United States.
