A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for enticing a minor and initiating a murder-for-hire plot, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom. Chander J. Cardente, 30, admitted to federal charges of enticing a 12-year-old girl into sexual encounters and plotting to have her killed to prevent her from testifying against him.
In the summer of 2021, Cardente posed as a 17-year-old on a messaging app to communicate with the victim. He later met her near her middle school and engaged in sexual contact at various locations in Rhode Island. Cardente was arrested and held in state custody following these incidents.
While detained at the Adult Correctional Institutions, Cardente discussed his intent to have the victim murdered with another person via telephone. In an undercover operation, he offered $200 in cash and equipment worth $1,500 to an officer posing as someone who could carry out the murder.
Cardente pleaded guilty on March 20, 2025, to charges including enticement of a minor and interstate murder for hire. U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith sentenced him to 420 months of incarceration followed by 30 years of supervised release.
Additionally, on May 1, 2025, Cardente pleaded nolo contendere to six counts of first-degree child molestation in state court. Superior Court Justice David Cruise sentenced him to 60 years with 35 years served and imposed a lengthy probation period.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah and investigated by several law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and local police departments.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts by federal, state, and local authorities.
