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Ex-Wife Pleads Guilty to Murder for Hire Plot
In a shocking turn of events, Debra Arno, 57, formerly of Amherst, NY, pleaded guilty to soliciting interstate murder for hire in a New York courtroom. Arno, who stands to face up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine, was arrested in 2015 after a murder for hire plot was uncovered.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, the plot involved Arno’s ex-husband and his current wife, with the former seeking to have them killed. In a series of text messages exchanged between Arno and co-defendant Lauren Frye, 57, of Buffalo, NY, Arno repeatedly implored Frye to carry out the murders.
On May 28, 2015, a search warrant was executed at Frye’s residence, where officers seized multiple items, including letters from Arno to Frye and photos of the intended victims. The letters revealed Arno’s intentions, with one stating, ‘I am enclosing $6000. I will give you an additional $14,000 upon completion. A total of $20,000. A man, his description and address enclosed, is to be eliminated or hurt.’
Frye also pleaded guilty to being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Village of Kenmore Police Department, the East Aurora Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force.
Arno and Frye are scheduled to be sentenced on March 8 and 9, 2017, respectively, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of seeking revenge and the consequences of such actions.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that Arno’s actions were driven by a desire for revenge against her ex-husband and his new wife. However, the court has made it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it continues to unfold in the New York courts.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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