Reshma Massarone, a New York bank manager, was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison for plotting to murder her brother-in-law. Massarone allegedly used Facebook Messenger to solicit the help of an acquaintance, a Guyanese police officer, to carry out the hit. The plot was uncovered when the would-be hitman contacted the victim and his wife, leading to Massarone's arrest.
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Foiled Murder-for-Hire Scheme: Bank Manager Plotted Brother-in-Law's Death over Facebook
Reshma Massarone, a 40-year-old branch manager at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder-for-hire. According to court documents, Massarone planned to kill her sister's husband, a Guyanese citizen, over Facebook Messenger between July 2023 and August 2023.
Massarone allegedly asked an old friend, unnamed in court documents, to carry out the hit while the victim was traveling with family in Guyana. However, the friend, a Guyanese police officer, went undercover to build a case against Massarone, leading to her guilty plea.
Foiled Murder-for-Hire Scheme: Bank Manager Plotted Brother-in-Law's Death over Facebook
Security footage shows Massarone wiring a $2,500 down payment to the would-be hitman at a Western Union kiosk inside a Walgreens. Massarone allegedly told the hitman that "either way, if I find somebody to do the job, you’re going to get blamed, so cut the bulls**t and let’s get it done."
The plot unraveled when the would-be hitman contacted the victim and his wife, who reported the threat to the United States Embassy in Guyana. Massarone's friend recorded a call in which Massarone made it clear that she wanted her brother-in-law dead, saying that the murder should look like a robbery.
Foiled Murder-for-Hire Scheme: Bank Manager Plotted Brother-in-Law's Death over Facebook
In a presentencing submission, Massarone's attorney claimed that she had acted "completely out of character" and in a "state of rage," citing ongoing harassment by her brother-in-law. The defense argued that the victim had "continued to ruin her professional life by systematically calling her [place of] employment in an attempt to get her fired."
Prosecutors, however, were less sympathetic, saying that Massarone's plan was "unthinkably heartless." They argued that the victim's conduct, while not commendable, did not justify Massarone's attempted murder.
Foiled Murder-for-Hire Scheme: Bank Manager Plotted Brother-in-Law's Death over Facebook
Massarone's sentence of 9.5 years in prison sends a strong message that murder-for-hire plots will not be tolerated. The case also highlights the importance of trust and loyalty, as Massarone's betrayal of her friend and sister's husband ultimately led to her downfall.
Massarone's attorney has indicated that he plans to appeal the sentence. However, it remains to be seen whether Massarone will succeed in her attempt to overturn the conviction or reduce her sentence.
