Where is Valerie Cincinelli now? ‘Dateline NBC’ uncovers ex-NYPD officer arrested for murder-for-hire plot
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: An ex-NYPD officer Valerie Cincinelli was sentenced to 48 months of prison for attempting to kill her ex-husband, Isaiah Carvalho. Federal prison records show that Cincinelli was released on October 12, 2022.
Valerie Cincinelli reportedly provided her then-boyfriend, John DiRubba with $7,000 in February 2019 during her divorce and custody battle with Isaiah Carvalho to hire a hitman. However, instead of following through with Cincinelli's plan, DiRubba immediately contacted the FBI.
According to police reports, DiRubba informed authorities that Cincinelli intended to target one more victim: his daughter. Cincinelli allegedly harbored resentment towards DiRubba's 13-year-old daughter because of the expensive gifts he lavished upon he, including Louis Vuitton bags, Ugg boots, and weekly fake nails.
In collaboration with the FBI, Isaiah Carvalho and John DiRubba joined forces, working to thwart Cincinelli's alleged plot.
When was ex-NYPD officer Valerie Cincinelli first arrested?
In May 2019, authorities arrested Cincinelli and charged her with using interstate commerce for murder-for-hire, leading to her suspension from the NYPD without pay. Ultimately, in March 2021, she resigned from the police department.
The New York Times reported that authorities contacted Valerie Cincinelli to inform her of Carvalho's murder investigation. Subsequently, an undercover FBI agent, posing as the hitman who supposedly killed her estranged husband, sent a photograph of the staged crime scene to Cincinelli's boyfriend, John DiRubba. DiRubba then shared the photo with Cincinelli.
It is alleged that Cincinelli then proceeded to contact DiRubba to coordinate alibis and instructed him to delete incriminating messages from his phone.
What details of Valerie Cincinelli's hitman case came out during the plea hearing?
During the plea hearing, authorities revealed that hidden devices recorded Valerie Cincinelli discussing her alibi with her boyfriend, providing further evidence in the case.
During a virtual hearing, federal prosecutors disclosed that if the case had proceeded to trial, they would have presented additional evidence such as audio and video recordings capturing Valerie Cincinelli discussing the murder plot and her alibi.
Emotionally overwhelmed during the hearing, Cincinelli, who had been in custody since her 2019 arrest, tearfully exclaimed, "For two years I haven't seen my son."
Cincinelli's defense attorney, James Kousouros, presented a contrasting portrayal, suggesting that she was ensnared by the men in her life. Kousouros contended that Cincinelli endured a relentless campaign orchestrated by both John DiRubba and her husband, alleging a conspiracy aimed at destroying her life.
On the other hand, ex-husband Isaiah Carvalho, who was present at the court session, described Cincinelli as "cruel and selfish" in his address to the judge.
Valerie Cincinelli pleaded with the jury saying she 'knew' what she did was wrong
Valerie Cincinelli negotiated a plea deal that resulted in the dismissal of two counts of murder-for-hire against her. During her sentencing, Valerie Cincinelli expressed remorse, stating, "I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I was wrong. I accept responsibility."
She acknowledged her wrongdoing and described herself as deeply damaged and destroyed at the time of the events. Cincinelli also lamented the significant losses she endured throughout the legal process.
However, Isaiah Carvalho criticized this outcome, referring to it as a "free pass" and expressing concern that she may seek to complete the job upon her release.
Isaiah Carvalho opens up about working with the FBI to stage his 'own death'
According to reports from CBS News, Valerie Cincinelli's ex-husband, Isaiah Carvalho, claimed that the FBI orchestrated a sting operation in which they coerced him into faking his "own death."
Carvalho detailed how FBI agents staged a crime scene to simulate an attack on him, spreading glass across the floor and instructing him to hunch over in a car's passenger seat. He described the experience as "absolutely insane" and "the craziest thing" he had ever encountered.
Isaiah Carvalho says he looks over his shoulder constantly and that he 'fears for his life'
Isaiah Carvalho refrained from commenting directly but expressed his apprehension to the federal judge, expressing concerns that his ex-wife might attempt to carry out the murder plot. He had previously urged for the maximum five-year sentence to be imposed during her hearing.
Isaiah Carvalho stated, "I thought I was marrying someone who swore to protect and serve... a cop. Instead, I got a crazed lunatic."
"People get angry, 'I wish you were dead,' and so forth. That's one thing. That's not what went on here. When you start paying money and you wind up starting, basically, working something out and you hire a hitman... He's gonna be looking over his shoulder," remarked Carvalho's attorney, Dennis Lemke.
On February 2nd, 2022, Isaiah Carvalho told Inside edition how the ordeal still weighs heavily on him, affecting him daily. "I look over my shoulder constantly," he admitted when asked about his concerns regarding Cincinelli potentially finding someone to carry out her plot in the future. "Not a day goes by that I'm not afraid for my life."
The upcoming episode will air on NBC this Friday, March 29, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET.