Two men in a Florida murder-for-hire conspiracy made a plea on the day of the trial.
The final two defendants in the Florida case pleaded guilty to participating in a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting a Miami woman who survived and attempt outside her home in June 2024.
49-year-old Clementa Johnson, of Tallahassee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, stalking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 49-year-old Diori Barnard, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for hire, murder for hire, and stalking. Both defendants entered their guilty pleas shortly after a jury was selected to try the case.
“For years, Tatiana Pino was subjected to a calculated campaign of stalking, violence, and repeated attempts on her life,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Clementa Johnson and Diori Barnard joined that conspiracy, stalked their intended victim, and helped carry out a plot that culminated in an armed attempt on her life outside her home. Their guilty pleas on the day trial was set to begin bring the final two defendants in this case to account. Our message is simple: no matter how many people are recruited, how much money is offered, or how elaborate the scheme, we will pursue every participant in a murder-for-hire conspiracy and bring them to justice.”
According to court records, Johnson and Barnard participated in a murder-for-hire conspiracy orchestrated by Sergio Pino, the multimillionaire estranged husband of Tatiana Pino. Sergio Pino enlisted individuals who, in turn, recruited Johnson and Barnard to carry out the murder. After earlier attempts to kill Tatiana Pino failed, Johnson, Barnard, and others joined the conspiracy to stalk and ultimately kill her.
On June 23, 2024, the conspiracy culminated in an attempt to shoot Tatiana Pino outside her home. She survived the attack.
Clementa Johnson faces up to 45 years in federal prison, while Diori Barnard faces up to 30 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. FBI Miami is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abbie D. Waxman and Brian Dobbins are prosecuting the case.
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