Chelmsford Man Accused of Soliciting Hit Man to Hurt Wife Charged In 32-Count Indictment

A Chelmsford man has been indicted on more than 30 charges in connection with a series of alleged actions that ended with him trying to hire someone to injure his wife, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan announced Thursday.

Andrew Gordon, 51, of Chelmsford, has been indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on charges of intimidation of a witness, soliciting a felony (two counts), attempted assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in violation of a restraining order, violating a restraining order (three counts), stalking in violation of a restraining order, criminal harassment, attempted malicious destruction of property under $250, wanton destruction of property under $250 (14 counts) and attempted wanton destruction of property under $250 (five counts). An arraignment date has not been scheduled.

“The alleged threat on a woman’s life was intercepted by police,” said District Attorney Ryan. “This situation snowballed quickly and, the defendant’s alleged actions this summer affected other innocent people. We allege this defendant posed a risk to his wife and her neighbors.”

Authorities allege Gordon was responsible for several acts of vandalism during July and August of this year to his wife’s car and to vehicles owned by her neighbors after he learned that she intended to seek a divorce. It is alleged the defendant deflated vehicle tires, placed nails under several vehicle tires and caused other damage to his wife’s car and to nearby vehicles.

Authorities also allege Gordon watched the woman’s apartment complex from nearby woods with a ski mask and binoculars.

Chelmsford Police arrested the defendant on September 19 after authorities alleged that Gordon attempted to pay $20,000 for an attack on his wife. The defendant met with an undercover Massachusetts State Police trooper posing as a hit man. Gordon’s request initially called for her murder, authorities said, but in subsequent discussions the defendant is alleged to have asked the man to beat her so she could not attend a court hearing.

The defendant was previously charged in Lowell District Court on September 22 for intimidation of a witness, soliciting a felony, assault and battery and violating a restraining order. He was ordered held without bail by Judge Neil Hourihan and has remained in custody since that date.