A Rhode Island man, previously convicted of child molestation and registered as a sex offender, has admitted to enticing a minor for sexual encounters and plotting a murder-for-hire to silence the victim. Chandler J. Cardente, 30, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges including enticement of a minor and interstate murder for hire. He is set to be sentenced on April 23, 2025.
According to court documents, Cardente began communicating with the 12-year-old victim in the summer of 2021 by posing as a 17-year-old on a messaging app. In December of that year, he met her near her middle school and engaged in sexual activities at various locations in Rhode Island. He was later arrested and detained.
While incarcerated at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), Cardente attempted to arrange the victim's murder through phone conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer. He offered $200 in cash and equipment valued at $1,500 for the act.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah and was investigated by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and several local police departments.
Cardente remains held without bail as he faces both federal and state prosecution. Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom expressed gratitude towards the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for their support in advancing federal charges.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.
