U.S. Attorney of the District of Minnesota Andrew Lugar
MINNEAPOLIS – One Iranian and two Canadian nationals have been charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire scheme.
According to court documents filed in Minnesota, from December 2020 through March 2021, Naji Zindashti, 49, Damion Ryan, 43, and Adam Pearson, 29, conspired with each other in a plot to murder two Maryland residents who had previously fled after defecting from Iran. The defendants used an encrypted messaging service to recruit individuals who would travel into the United States to carry out the killings, discuss the identities and locations of the would-be victims, plan logistics and mechanics of how to carry out the murders, and negotiate payment for completion of the “job” in Maryland.
The Treasury Department also took action against Zindashti’s criminal network that targets Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime. Pursuant to today’s designations, Zindashti and several of his key associates are prohibited from engaging in any transaction or dealing that involves a U.S. person or occurs in the U.S.
“As alleged, Mr. Zindashti and his team of gunmen, including a Minnesota resident, used an encrypted
messaging service to orchestrate an assassination plot against two individuals,” said U.S. Attorney
Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota. “Thanks to the skilled work of federal prosecutors and law
enforcement agents, this murder-for-hire conspiracy was disrupted and the defendants will face justice.”
The indictment alleges that Zindashti and Ryan, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, communicated about “jobs,” “equipment,” “tools” and plans to “make some money.” In January 2021, Ryan said he “might have someone” to do a job he and Zindashti had been discussing. That same day he messaged Pearson, a Canadian national then living under an assumed name in Minnesota and also a Hells Angels member, about the job in Maryland. Pearson responded that, “shooting is probably easiest thing for them,” and that he was “on it.” Ryan recommended “2 guys go with proper equipment.” Pearson said he would encourage the recruits for the job to “shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example” and that he would tell them “we gotta erase his head from his torso.”
Later that month Zindashti messaged Ryan seeking an update on the job. Ryan responded that he was getting “things in order” and that he would need money. A few days later, Zindashti told Ryan that his organization, allegedly operating at the Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, was ready to move forward. The men agreed on a $350,000 payment for the job, in addition to $20,000 to cover expenses. After Zindashti introduced Ryan to Co-Conspirator 1, Ryan responded: “We have a 4 man team ready.”
Over the days that followed, Ryan and Co-Conspirator 1 continued to correspond about the plot, including sending information about the would-be victims, including their photographs, and images of a map that highlighted the victims’ address. In March 2021, Co-Conspirator 1 facilitated a $20,000 payment to Ryan for travel expenses.
All three defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities
in the commission of murder-for-hire. Pearson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm
by a fugitive from justice and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien.
Zindashti resides in Iran. Ryan and Pearson are jailed in Canada on unrelated offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota is assisting in the prosecution of case.
Comments