Naples Trio Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Local Resident’s Sibling

Three Naples men have been federally indicted in a murder-for-hire plot that targeted the sibling of a local resident, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The scheme was disrupted by federal and local authorities before it could be carried out.

Jesus Pujol Hernandez, 41, Miguel Marquez Romero, 29, and Paulo Sabon Montero, 54, have each been charged with conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to commit murder-for-hire, as well as use of such a facility with intent to commit murder-for-hire. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each individual, if convicted.

Investigators say the plot began between April 16 and 17, when Hernandez was contacted by the sibling of the intended victim and allegedly hired to arrange the murder. Hernandez then coordinated with Romero and Montero to execute the plan. The group held multiple phone conversations to discuss details, including a proposed payment of up to $30,000.

The investigation revealed that the trio planned an in-person meeting to finalize the arrangement. On April 17, all three met in the parking lot of a grocery store in Naples, where law enforcement officials arrested them.

The arrests came after a coordinated effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The case remains under active investigation.