Preparedness
Florida Millionaire’s Deadly Plot Unravels in Shocking FBI Investigation
In a chilling case reminiscent of a crime thriller, a wealthy Florida real estate developer’s life ended in tragedy as he allegedly orchestrated a series of murder-for-hire plots against his wife. According to the FBI, Sergio Pino, a multimillionaire, took his own life just as authorities were closing in on him for attempting to have his wife, Tatiana Pino, killed.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Sergio Pino had hired multiple hitmen to carry out his sinister plans. The motive behind these plots was reportedly Tatiana’s rejection of a $20 million divorce settlement offer from her husband of 32 years.
The case took a dramatic turn on June 23, when a gunman allegedly confronted the couple’s daughter, Alessandra Pino, in their driveway. Alessandra, in a frantic call to 911, exclaimed, “Oh my gosh. My mom is here. They might have shot her.”
Pinecrest Police Department Chief Jason Cohen recounted, “[Tatiana] came home from her morning errands, and as she pulled in the driveway, this person pulled up, got out of the car with a firearm. Her daughter actually came out of the house and kind of went face to face with this gunman who clearly wasn’t there for the daughter because he, from what I understand, he had the ability to shoot her if he wanted to, and he didn’t.”
The gunman fled the scene as officers responded, unable to carry out what investigators believe was an attempt on Tatiana’s life. This incident was not the first attempt on Tatiana’s life. A year earlier, a rented Home Depot truck rammed into her SUV in the same driveway.
Cohen explained, “We were made aware of a lot of the background of what had been going on with Mrs. Pino, the accusations of her being poisoned or drugged by potentially her soon-to-be ex-husband … it started to make sense that this was just another piece in that big puzzle.”
The murder-for-hire plot reportedly began as early as July 2022. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe disclosed that hitmen even “obtained fentanyl to assist Sergio Pino in his effort to kill his wife,” adding that “Mrs. Pino had to die before their next divorce proceedings.”
The FBI’s investigation culminated in a search and arrest operation at the Pinos’ $8 million waterfront home on July 16. However, Sergio Pino allegedly committed suicide before he could be apprehended.
The FBI stated in a press release, “Sergio Pino was discovered by the FBI inside the residence deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Pino’s criminal defense attorney, Sam Rabin, commented on the situation: “Sergio Pino took his own life today. The level of law enforcement activity at his residence was unprecedented and unnecessary, especially since we had offered to surrender him, should that have become necessary.”
The investigation continues, with several suspects charged and indicted for their involvement in the plot against Tatiana. These include Bayron Bennett, Fausto Villar, Avery Bivins, Clementa Johnson, Diori Barnard, Jerren Keith Howard, Michael Jose Dulfo, and Edner Etienne, who face potential life sentences if convicted.
The FBI has recorded phone calls between some of the suspects, revealing their involvement in the plot. Bivins allegedly agreed to a $150,000 deal from Villar to murder Tatiana, with a bonus promised if the act went undetected by law enforcement.
Reflecting on the case, Chief Cohen remarked, “I’ve been in law enforcement for 27 years, and something like this … it seemed like something out of a Hollywood movie, but this was unfortunately real life.”
The Pinos’ financial records revealed a net worth between $153 million and $359 million in 2022, underscoring the high stakes involved in this tragic saga.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.