Sussex County, New Jersey, Man Charged With Kidnapping And Murder-For-Hire Plot

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newton, New Jersey, man appeared in federal court today to face charges that he planned the kidnapping and murder of a Paterson, New Jersey, woman, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Christopher Thieme, 35, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of murder-for-hire and one count of attempted kidnapping. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court and was detained.   

According to the complaint:

From December 2015 through Jan. 4, 2016, Thieme sought assistance from an associate in order to kidnap and ultimately murder a female victim whom Thieme had previously met through an online dating service. Thieme’s associate alerted law enforcement to Thieme’s plans, and cooperated with law enforcement’s investigation into Thieme’s plot.

In early January, at the direction of law enforcement, Thieme’s associate introduced Thieme to an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman. Thieme explained to the undercover FBI agent that, once the victim was kidnapped, Thieme planned to empty her bank accounts and fraudulently sell off her home, the proceeds of which Thieme planned to use to pay for the kidnapping and murder. On Jan. 4, 2016, Thieme met his associate and the undercover hitman and drove them to the victim’s home and other locations where the victim could be found. Thieme was apprehended shortly afterwards.

The murder-for-hire charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine. The attempted kidnapping charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Newton Police Department, the Paramus Police Department, the Paterson Police Department, the Roxbury Police Department, and the Wayne Police Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Hafetz of the U.S. Attorney’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Patrick McMahon Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark