Christopher Thieme targeted a woman he met online
NEWARK -- A Newton man admitted in federal court Tuesday he planned to hire a hitman to kill a Paterson woman he met through a dating service, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman said.
Christopher Thieme (Essex County Department of Corrections) Christopher Thieme, 36, pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and murder-for-hire. He faces 30 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines when he's sentenced in September.
The woman attempted to cut off contact with Thieme after they'd gone on a few dates, according to a criminal complaint. Thieme then began planning the kidnapping and murder in December, when he contacted an associate for help with the scheme. The associate contacted law enforcement and assisted in the investigation, arranging a meeting Jan. 4 between Thieme and an FBI agent posing as a hitman, Fishman's office said.
Thieme told the agent he wanted to keep the woman alive for at least a few weeks, long enough to drain her bank accounts and sell her house. Thieme planned to pay for the kidnapping and hit with part of the proceeds, authorities said.
Thieme once ran for a seat on the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the New Jersey Herald reported.
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