A Rhode Island man, Chandler J. Cardente, admitted in federal court to enticing a 12-year-old girl for sexual encounters and plotting to murder her to prevent her from testifying. Cardente, previously convicted of child molestation and registered as a sex offender, pleaded guilty to charges including enticement of a minor and interstate murder for hire.
According to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom, "Chandler J. Cardente pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today." He is scheduled for sentencing on April 23, 2025.
Court documents indicate that Cardente posed as a 17-year-old on a messaging app in the summer of 2021 to communicate with the victim. In December of that year, he met the victim near her school and engaged in sexual contact at various locations in Rhode Island. Following his arrest, while detained at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), Cardente allegedly plotted to have the victim killed.
Cardente reportedly offered $200 and equipment valued at $1,500 to an undercover law enforcement officer posing as someone who could carry out the murder. He expressed that the victim needed "to end up dead" because she was "a witness."
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah and investigated by several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and local police departments.
Cardente remains held without bail at ACI pending federal and state prosecution. Acting United States Attorney Bloom acknowledged assistance from the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.