A prominent South Florida developer hired numerous hitmen to kill his wife of 32 years, according to the FBI. The millionaire reportedly committed suicide at the exact moment law enforcement officers approached him.
The FBI says it has recorded phone calls between several suspects accused of traumatizing Sergio Pino's estranged wife, Tatiana Pino.
Investigators believe the husband's murder-for-hire plot was motivated by his wife's rejection of a $20 million divorce settlement.
On June 23, a man allegedly pointed a gun at Pino's daughter, Alessandra Pino, 26. daughter reportedly told the 911 operator, “Oh my god, my mom is here. They could have shot her.”
Pinecrest Police Department Chief Jason Cohen said. fox news,”[Tatiana] When she returned home from her morning errands and pulled into her driveway, a man pulled up and got out of the car, holding a firearm. Her daughter actually came out of the house and kind of confronted this guy with the gun, who obviously wasn't there for her, which is my understanding. had the ability to shoot her if he had wanted to, but he did not. “”
Cohen added: “The man ended up running away as officers began to respond, but we were unable to do what we believe was there that day. , I think he was probably there to take her life, Tatiana's life at that point.” ”
A year ago, someone crashed a truck they had rented from a hardware store into the SUV Tatiana was driving in the same driveway where the gun threat occurred.
Cohen explained: “She came home from a day out, pulled into her driveway, and there was a Home Depot flatbed rental truck waiting for her on the street. And when she pulled up, it rammed into her car. It just took off.”
“This incident here brought to our attention that it was likely more than just someone hitting her while she was walking home,” Cohen said. “We learned a lot of background about what was happening with Mrs. Pino, including accusations that her soon-to-be ex-husband was poisoned and drugged… I started to think it was just another piece of that big puzzle.”
Tatiana filed for divorce in April 2022.
The murder-for-hire plot to kill Tatiana reportedly began as early as July 2022.
“You can't shake a rap now. Your two sons now, or whoever they are, they can shake a rap.
U.S. attorney Marchenzie Lapointe said the hitmen even “obtained fentanyl to assist in the murder of Sergio Pino's wife.”
“Mrs. Pino had to die before the next divorce proceedings,” Ms. Lapointe said.
The FBI investigated this case and focused on Sergio Pino.
On July 16, the FBI conducted a search and arrest operation at Pino's $8 million waterfront home in Coral Gables, but Pino allegedly committed suicide just as law enforcement approached him. Ru.
The FBI stated in one document: press release “Sergio Pino was found by the FBI inside the residence, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Sam Rabin, Pino's criminal defense attorney, said: said “Sergio Pino took his own life today. The level of law enforcement activity at his residence was unprecedented and unnecessary, especially since he had offered to extradite him if necessary. Today's events mark a very tragic conclusion to the investigation.''There were many rumors and suspicions, but what was missing was evidence. ”
The criminal case has ended due to Pino's suicide, but police are still investigating other suspects.
The U.S. Attorney's Office made the announcement on July 31st. news release The suspects, including Byron Bennett, 33, were charged with “respectively participating in a campaign of stalking, torture, and attempted murder” of Tatiana Pino. Fausto Villar, 42 years old. Avery Bivins, 36 years old. Clementa Johnson, 47 years old. Diori Bernard, 47 years old. Jalen Keith Howard, 38 years old. Michael Jose Dalfo, 42 years old. If convicted, the suspect faces up to life in prison.
The FBI said it was recording the phone calls between Mr. Bilal and Mr. Bivins. Both men are serving time in Florida state prisons, Mr. Bivins for attempted felony murder and armed robbery, and Mr. Villar for armed robbery.
“It's going to be OK, everything's going to be OK,” Bivins said. allegedly said Villars.
“Straight. But the damn smoke has to clear,” Villar replied. “Everything has to clear, the smoke has to clear, so try to fend it off with what you have.”
“It's going to be okay, everything's going to be okay,” Bivins tells him.
“When this awful thing is over, know this — we're all fine, you know what I'm saying?” Villar reportedly told Bivins. “Everything will be fine.”
After the Bivins crew was arrested, Villar became concerned about how law enforcement would crack down on them.
“Why if you were in a pinch, they would be, this would no longer be a conspiracy,” Bilal allegedly told Bivins. “You can't shake a rap now. Your two sons now, or whoever they are, they can shake a rap.”
Bilal advised Bivins to delete his social media accounts.
According to the FBI, Bivins agreed to a $150,000 deal from Bilal for Tatiana's murder and has already paid $75,000. Reportedly, if the act was carried out without law enforcement detection, a future bonus of $150,000 was due.
Cohen said of the incident, “I've been in law enforcement for 27 years, and this kind of thing…it seemed like something out of a Hollywood movie, but unfortunately it's real life.”
Investigators believe the husband's murder-for-hire plot was motivated by his wife's rejection of a $20 million divorce settlement. Financial statements revealed in the couple's divorce case show the couple's net worth will be more than $153 million in 2022, reaching a peak of $359 million.
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