Man Sentenced for Luring Minor and Murder Plot
Chandler J. Cardente, a 30-year-old man from Rhode Island, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to serious charges, including luring a 12-year-old girl for sex and plotting to have her killed to prevent her from testifying.
Cardente, who is already a registered sex offender, met the girl online while pretending to be 17 years old. Over several months, he groomed her and eventually picked her up near her middle school in December 2021. During their time together, he took her to various locations in Rhode Island and engaged in sexual activities.
After his arrest, while in custody, Cardente attempted to hire someone to murder the girl. He made a phone call to an undercover police officer, offering $200 and $1,500 worth of tattoo equipment for the hit. He described the girl as a witness who needed to be eliminated.
On March 20, Cardente pleaded guilty to three felony charges, including enticing a minor and interstate murder-for-hire. His federal sentence will run concurrently with a 35-year state prison term he is already serving for previously molesting children. He is expected to remain in prison until at least 2056.
