NYPD Officer Accused Of Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting Her Ex-Husband And A Child
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - An NYPD officer has been arrested, accused of a murder-for-hire plot to kill her ex-husband and a child.
Valerie Cincinelli, 34, is an officer with the NYPD's Viper Unit, which monitors cameras in NYCHA buildings.
WEB EXTRA: Read the complaint (.pdf)
Cincinelli appeared tearfully before a federal judge in Central Islip Friday afternoon. Prosecutors revealed she tried to hire a hitman to kill two people: An ex-husband and the daughter of another man for $7,000.
Cincinelli has made headlines before: Two years ago she helped foil a bank robbery in Queens. Now the NYPD officer is making news for all the wrong reasons. Prosecutors say the evidence is overwhelming.
She allegedly "hatched and carried out a plot" in her Oceanside home to "hire a hitman to murder" an ex-husband and another man's daughter, according to prosecutors. In intercepted cell phone calls and on video she allegedly ordered the hits, plotting to kill the daughter as she left school.
When asked by the judge if she understands her rights and the charges against her, a tearful Cincinelli replied "Yes ma'am." Her legal aid attorney argued for bail, citing 12 years with the NYPD, but prosecutors say she's on modified duty, disciplined for infractions, with a history of volatile marriages.
Cincinelli, a mother of two young children, had only her brother in court, who left without comment.
Sources told CBS2 her current boyfriend is not charged in the plot and may be cooperating with the government.
The judge ordered Cincinelli held, citing very strong evidence of guilt in the case. Her attorney did not comment.
The NYPD has suspended her because of the arrest.
Cincinelli has been with the NYPD since 2007. In 2017, she had her gun taken and she was placed on modified assignment.
She had previously been placed on modified assignment for multiple former domestic incidents involving her ex-husband that required Nassau County Police to respond.
Check back soon for more information on this developing story.