Murder-For-Hire: Lorain Man Arrested For Suspected Role In Planning Killing

LORAIN, OH — A Lorain man has been indicted for planning a murder and trying to distribute cocaine, law enforcement officials said. Eduardo Rios Velasquez, 36, of Lorain, allegedly worked with Angel Cordero, 36, an inmate at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in New Jersey, to plan out the murder and narcotics distribution.

The duo, Velasquez and Cordero, had previously spent time incarcerated together. They stayed in contact through the summer of 2017, when Cordero used a contraband cellphone to call Velasquez, court documents say.

Cordero helped Velasquez get in contact with another inmate. Velasquez offered to pay that inmate money if he could provide an address for a woman, identified in court documents as T.G. Cordero told the inmate that Velasquez had been hired to kill T.G., the documents say. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Avon-Avon Lake newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

“These two individuals are alleged to be so bold as to hire a hitman and order the movement of cocaine, all while serving time for past crimes. Even behind bars, they continue to show a blatant disregard for authority,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York, in a statement. “It is with the investigative know-how and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, like the FBI, that we can ensure these perpetual criminals face additional charges for their actions.”

Another person supplied Velasquez with large shipments of cocaine, law enforcement says. Cordero allegedly served as the broker in the deals for the cocaine. Federal law enforcement intercepted a kilogram of cocaine being shipped to Velasquez in July.

“This individual is being held accountable for his ruthless willingness to kill someone for money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony in a statement.

The investigation into Cordero and Velasquez was led by the New York Department of Homeland Security, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office.

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