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Press Release

Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Murder for Hire Plot

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina

Contact Person: Nathan Williams (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Lawrence Edward Lee, age 64, of Charleston, SC, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the Use of Interstate Commerce Facilities to Commit Murder for Hire.  The term of imprisonment is to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Lee pled guilty on January 26, 2016.  Facts at the plea hearing established that Lee approached an acquaintance about having Lee’s ex-wife killed.  That individual went to the FBI, who then conducted undercover recordings of Lee and his efforts to have his ex-wife killed, including payment to the acquaintance of $5,000.00 for the murder. 

Lee was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel.  The conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case. 

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Updated July 1, 2016
Component
USAO - South Carolina

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