Florida Wife Tried to Hire Hit Man to Kill Her Husband: Authorities

Crystal Ely offered jewelry and cash to uncover cop, authorities said.
Crystal Ely is being held at the Duval County Jail, authorities said.Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

The "hit man" was actually an undercover cop.

A Florida wife and mother who thought she had hired a hit man to kill her husband was really negotiating with an undercover cop, according to sheriff's deputies.

Crystal Ely, 29, has been charged with criminal solicitation and criminal conspiracy and is being held without bail at the Duval County Jail, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office told First Coast News.

Ely spoke several times to an undercover investigator over a span of 10 days, saying she would pay him to kill her husband, the department said.

Deputies began investigating the mother of three after receiving a tip, they said. Ely offered money, two rings and a pair of earrings as payment for the hit, authorities said.

She also provided a photo of her husband and a diagram of the office where they both worked, the department said.

According to online court records, her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 10. 

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