EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Las Cruces man was sentenced to prison on Thursday, Sept. 5, after attempting to hire a hit man to kill his wife’s mother in April 2022, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
Court documents say Leif Hayman, 34, pleaded guilty to the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and was sentenced to 10 years in prison this past Thursday after trying to hire a hit man on rentahitman.com to have his wife’s mother killed back in 2022.
On Sunday, April 10, 2022, Hayman provided his contact information to the rentahitman.com website and also used an alias. Hayman wrote, “I want her gone now too much that I don’t like about her she’s controlling my wife,” according to court documents.
Hayman provided an address, phone number, and email address for the victim and also provided a photo of his wife’s mother and a secret code phrase that should be used in the event someone from the website would contact him.
A week later, Hayman reached out to the website again, providing a different alias but the same contact information, adding, ” Kill that b****,” according to court documents.
A couple of days later, Hayman sent multiple emails to the website saying that the issue “can’t wait needs to happen this week 5 days is too long for me to wait” and “You people are fake if u were real someone who have contact me already I can’t wait anymore I’m doing it my f****** self thank you for nothing fake people,” according to court documents.
On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information on Hayman’s actions which was provided by the owner of the website who resides in California. The owner initially tried to contact other law-enforcement agencies in Las Cruces but was unsuccessful.
On Thursday, May 5, 2022, an ATF investigative assistant went undercover, contacted Hayman via phone, and left a message using the secret code phrase. The agent also sent a text message to Hayman stating, “R U still interested in my services.” To which Hayman replied, “Yes I am still interested,” according to court documents.
Later that Thursday, the undercover agent received a phone call from Hayman, stating that he needed somebody “eliminated” as soon as possible.
Hayman also suggested $200 as the starting price for the job and said he would leave the money in the mailbox and provided his address.
Hayman also said, “It’s my wife’s mom we’re talking about, so I don’t want any evidence
to come back to me or you,” according to court documents.
The undercover agent told Hayman that he needed an address for the victim, a recent photograph of her, and her place of employment, to which Hayman responded that the best place to kill the victim would be at her residence, according to court documents.
The phone conversation also went over what weapon should be used, the cost of the weapon or weapons, and that he would ask his wife for money but would tell her that he needed the money for something else.
Hayman also told the undercover agent, “I did not think you guys were going to get to me. I was about to do what you’re about to do. I was like I have to wait. I have no way of getting there.” He also stated “I hate her mom with a passion,” and that, “f***** b**** deserves to die after
what she did to me and her (Hayman’s wife) a few weeks ago. She deserves to die.”
Hayman also told the undercover agent that he lives alone but he has staff with him 24/7 and told the agent that person would have to be killed as well.
On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, ATF agents conducted an operation where Hayman was going to be picked up by an agent to “murder” the victim. Upon arriving at Hayman’s residence, Hayman pointed at another man walking in front of him like he wanted the agent to do something to him.
Hayman was arrested in August 2023 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with three years of supervision on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Read: Read More