Boston Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting Ex-Wife and Boyfriend

BOSTON – In a disturbing case of domestic violence, a Boston man has been sentenced to nearly eight years in federal prison for trying to hire a contract killer to murder his ex-wife and her boyfriend.

Mohammed Chowdhury, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 92 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. In January 2024, Chowdhury pleaded guilty to two counts of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

“Mr. Chowdhury literally thought he could get away with murder,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Chowdhury’s disturbing conduct – in combination with the misogyny and dehumanization he expressed in trying to carry out this plot – speak volumes about how dangerous he is. This case represents the most extreme form of domestic violence and we will use all tools at our disposal to protect women in abusive relationships.”

According to court records, in November 2022, an individual notified law enforcement that Chowdhury was soliciting assistance in having his ex-wife murdered. The individual said that Chowdhury had paid someone to conduct the murder for hire, but that they took the money and did not follow through with Chowdhury’s request. Chowdhury subsequently told the individual that he needed the murder done as soon as possible and that he would get the money to do so, even robbing a store if necessary to obtain the funds.

On numerous occasions in December 2022 and January 2023, Chowdhury met with undercover agents posing as the contract killer and their associates, to seek help with killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend, whom she left him for. During these meetings and communications, Chowdhury explained that his ex-wife would not let him see his children; described his frustration with his ex-wife’s westernization and independent thinking; and expressed that he wanted the undercover agents to rob and beat his ex-wife and her boyfriend so that he would not be a suspect.

Chowdhury was taken into federal custody on January 17, 2023, after providing a $500 deposit to the undercover agents for the murders. According to court records, in October 2019, Chowdhury was charged in Boston Municipal Court – Roxbury Division with violating an Abuse Prevention Order prohibiting him from abusing, contacting, or coming within a certain distance of his ex-wife. Chowdhury pleaded to sufficient facts and received a continuance without a finding.

The Boston Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and John T. Dawley of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

FBI SAC Jodi Cohen added, “Anyone willing to hire a hitman to kill a once beloved family member and her new boyfriend is clearly a danger to the community. Thankfully, the FBI Boston’s Violent Crimes Task Force was able to thwart this deadly and horrific plot. Violent criminals like Mohammed Chowdhury need to be locked up, for everyone’s safety, and today’s sentence ensures he won’t be able to harm anyone for a significant period of time.”

The case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.