NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man appeared in federal court today on charges that he promised to pay a purported hitman to kill his estranged wife, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. The defendant’s ex-girlfriend, who appeared in federal court Feb. 5, 2019, is also charged with participating in the plot.
Narsan Lingala, 55, of Middlesex County, New Jersey, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of murder-for-hire. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and was held without bail. Lingala’s ex-girlfriend, Sandya Reddy, 52, appeared before Judge Hammer on the same charge and was also detained.
According to the complaint:
In May 2018, Lingala was in a holding cell at the Middlesex County Superior Courthouse as he awaited a court hearing. While there, he asked another inmate if he knew anyone who could kill his estranged wife. The inmate responded that he knew such a person. In June 2018, at the direction of law enforcement, the inmate introduced Lingala to an undercover agent posing as a hitman. Over subsequent weeks, Lingala and the undercover hitman spoke by phone and planned to meet in person the next time that Lingala traveled from Indiana to New Jersey.
On Aug. 18, 2018, Lingala and the undercover hitman agreed to meet in person outside a New Jersey shopping mall. Later that day, Lingala and his then-girlfriend, Reddy, arrived outside the mall and approached the undercover hitman. Lingala introduced Reddy and stated that she understood what was going on. Lingala, Reddy, and the undercover hitman entered the undercover hitman’s car. They proceeded to have a conversation that was video recorded.
The undercover hitman asked Lingala to confirm what he wanted the undercover hitman to do. Lingala said, “I want that woman to be out of my life . . . totally. Never again. She never comes back.” During the conversation, the undercover hitman asked, “You want me to take care of her?” Lingala responded, “Yeah.” The undercover hitman stated, “She’s done, I’m going to kill her. End of story.” Lingala responded, “Yeah. End of story.”
During the conversation, Lingala gave the undercover hitman information about the intended victim. Lingala provided his ex-wife’s full name, home address, age, and home phone number. He also described the entrances to and layout of her home; the name of the company where she worked; and the timing and details of her work commute. Lingala showed the undercover hitman photos of the exterior and interior of his ex-wife’s home. Reddy also provided the undercover hitman information about the intended victim.
The undercover hitman, Lingala, and Reddy also discussed the price that the undercover hitman would be paid. The undercover hitman said the job would cost between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the job’s complexity. Lingala agreed and asked if he could pay after the job was done. The undercover hitman said he would need a down payment. Lingala and Reddy discussed the issue, and then Lingala asked the undercover hitman, “Can I give you a thousand down payment?” The undercover hitman agreed. Lingala later stated, “I want that money to go into your pocket.” Lingala informed the undercover hitman that making the down payment would take about two weeks. After the meeting, authorities arrested Lingala and Reddy
The murder-for-hire charge is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
