Alabama man pleads guilty to hiring fake hitman to kill his wife and six children, caught by undercover FBI agent

An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder-for-hire after conspiring to kill his wife and six adult children, a plot that unraveled when an FBI undercover agent posed as the would-be killer. Mohammad Mohammad, 64, was arrested last September after meeting with the undercover officer and negotiating the cost of ending his family’s lives.

According to court filings and prosecutors, Mohammad told the undercover agent to "find me somebody" and that he would "pay" as long as there was a number. He pressed for a name and number, insisting that the person he found would carry out the killings. During another exchange, he warned, "Get me that name and number, or I don't want to see your face again."

Prosecutors said Mohammad provided the addresses of his wife and six children and described their vehicles to the undercover agent. He negotiated a price of $20,000 to kill his wife and $5,000 for each child, with the first target identified as his wife. He told the agent: "You pick and choose who you gunna take out, and get paid." At one point, when pressed for more money, he grew agitated and stated: "Start with one. Take your time. Second. Third. Fourth. Five. I don't give f**k. Just, start with one." He later specified the target order and indicated the overall payment should arrive within two weeks, saying, "Twenty [thousand]. Not five. Twenty. Because it’s the big head [sic]. The others, it’s okay. They are trash. Cockroaches. You know. But this one, deserve more. I give it to you." Mohammad ultimately agreed to pay the undercover agent $20,000 to kill his wife and $5,000 for each child.

Mohammad and his wife were in the midst of divorce proceedings, and he had been previously arrested and charged with domestic violence for assaulting his daughter, though those charges were dismissed. Three Protection from Abuse Orders (PFA) were issued against Mohammad in 2021, by his daughter, wife, and son, alleging assaultive and threatening behavior. The wife’s PFA described threats to kill family members, threats to lock them in the basement, and reports that he had pointed guns and knives at their heads. In 2023, authorities also cited multiple arson incidents in which vehicles belonging to his wife’s friend, two of his sons, his daughter, and his wife were damaged or set on fire.

Mohammad owned American Plumbing Service, LLC, based in Homewood, Alabama, and worked as a plumber prior to the case. Court records show the domestic violence allegations and the PFA orders formed part of the broader pattern of conflict within the family that preceded the murder-for-hire plot.

Federal prosecutors say the case was investigated as part of an ongoing counter-kill operation, and Mohammad faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each of the seven counts. If a court imposes the maximum on all counts, he could face up to 70 years in prison. Sentencing will be scheduled by the court in the coming months.

The plea marks a dramatic turn in a case that drew national attention due to the explicit negotiations with an undercover agent thought to be a hitman. In court filings, Mohammad admitted to soliciting the killings and providing the target details, including addresses and vehicle descriptions; he did not dispute the actions described in the government’s plea agreement. The defense has not publicly commented on the plea.

Health and safety advocates note that cases like this underscore the health risks associated with domestic violence, including the physical and psychological harm experienced by family members. Legal observers say the case also highlights the risks posed by unresolved family conflict when violent threats become potential action, and the role of federal investigations in preventing harm.