Rival Marked For Death — Fed To HOGS

Close-up of a California death certificate document

A New York man’s grotesque murder-for-hire plot to feed his romantic rival to hogs was foiled by FBI agents, exposing how family disputes can spiral into deadly criminal conspiracies when law enforcement fails to intervene early.

Story Snapshot

Jeal Sutherland, 57, pleaded guilty to hiring a hitman to kill his ex-girlfriend’s child’s father and dispose of the body using Pennsylvania farm hogs
FBI infiltrated the entire conspiracy with undercover agents and informants, preventing the murder before any harm occurred
Sutherland previously orchestrated arson-for-hire against the victim’s mother to obstruct custody proceedings, showing escalating criminal behavior
He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines at his September 22, 2025 sentencing hearing

FBI Infiltration Prevents Gruesome Murder Scheme

Jeal Sutherland of Colonie, New York, admitted in federal court to orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot between November 2024 and January 2025 targeting the father of his ex-girlfriend’s child. The 57-year-old defendant arranged to have the victim killed and his remains fed to hogs on a Pennsylvania farm to eliminate evidence. FBI Albany successfully embedded multiple informants throughout the conspiracy, with an undercover agent posing as the hog farmer who would dispose of the body. Sutherland was arrested on January 27, 2025, and entered his guilty plea on May 14, 2025.

Pattern of Criminal Intimidation Targeting Family Members

Court documents reveal Sutherland’s criminal conduct extended beyond the murder plot. He previously bribed an individual to commit arson against the victim’s mother’s vehicle, specifically to prevent her from testifying at a custody hearing related to his ex-girlfriend’s child. This earlier offense demonstrates a calculated pattern of using hired intermediaries to commit crimes and manipulate legal proceedings through intimidation. Sutherland also orchestrated the placement of a dead Canada goose with a threatening message at the victim’s mother’s residence, escalating his campaign of terror against the family.

Federal Prosecution Under Interstate Commerce Laws

United States Attorney John A. Sarcone emphasized that Sutherland “hatched a vicious plot to kill a romantic rival and intimidate his victim’s family,” warranting federal prosecution. The case proceeded under federal commerce facility statutes because the conspiracy crossed state lines from New York to Pennsylvania. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli credited “prompt actions taken by FBI Albany and our law enforcement partners” with preventing the violent scheme. Sutherland leveraged financial control over his hired accomplice by forgiving a debt in exchange for committing the murder, though every conspirator ultimately became an FBI informant working against him.

Custody Disputes Escalate Into Federal Criminal Conspiracy

The murder-for-hire plot originated from custody disputes and relationship conflicts involving Sutherland’s ex-girlfriend, her child, and the child’s biological father. Rather than pursuing lawful resolution through family courts, Sutherland chose criminal violence and intimidation to eliminate opposition. His defense attorney claimed Sutherland was “attempting to protect his loved one and had good intentions,” an assertion that rings hollow given the premeditated nature of arranging murder and body disposal. This case illustrates the dangerous escalation that occurs when personal disputes are met with criminal conspiracy rather than constitutional legal processes designed to protect family rights and child welfare.

Sutherland remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on September 22, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 in fines, and three years of supervised release. The intended victim was never harmed, and the FBI’s comprehensive infiltration of the conspiracy network ensured complete prevention of the planned murder. This successful federal operation demonstrates law enforcement’s capability to disrupt serious violent crimes before they occur, though it raises questions about why Sutherland’s earlier arson-for-hire offense did not trigger more intensive monitoring that might have prevented this escalation.