DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A Boynton Beach man was arrested last week after investigators said he attempted to hire a hitman — who was actually an undercover detective — to kill his ex-wife, stating she needed to be “put down like a rabid dog,” according to a newly-obtained arrest affidavit.
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Authorities said Michael David Pine, 55, was taken into custody on Thursday following an undercover sting by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies.
According to BSO deputies, Pine had been serving time in a Florida prison for aggravated stalking and other charges when he began expressing his desire to have his ex-wife murdered. Authorities said he first tried to hire a “confidential source” as the hitman while in prison, who then reported it to authorities.
After his release from the South Florida Reception Center in Doral on Feb. 25, authorities launched a murder-for-hire operation.
They said the victim was very cooperative and willing to assist in the investigation and she also told detectives that she believed Pine “had access to a large amount of funds to pay someone to harm or kill her.”
Investigators said Pine repeatedly blamed his ex-wife for his incarceration and offered $10,000 for her murder.
During conversations with an undercover detective posing as a hitman, Pine referred to his ex-wife as “the custom Suburban,” using coded language referencing a vehicle to discuss the planned killing, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday.
According to the affidavit, Pine made it clear he did not care how the job was carried out, stating, “I don’t give a f---in s--- how she’s killed.” He insisted the undercover detective posing as a hitman was the “professional” and should “handle that.”
He also referred to his wife as “a rabid dog that needs to be put down” when speaking to the detective.
Pine initially agreed to pay $5,000 upfront, later giving the undercover detective $2,500. Days later, detectives said he sent a message indicating there was no longer a need to wait for a court hearing to complete “the job,” referencing a denied petition he had filed in Palm Beach County.
Throughout the conversations, Pine made it clear that his ultimate goal was to regain custody of his child. He told the undercover detective that once his ex-wife was dead, he would be able to “get his kid back” and everything would be “golden,” the report stated.
Authorities said he then met with the “hitman” at a Deerfield Beach hotel parking lot, handing over an additional $2,000 and promising to pay the remaining $8,000 balance when he had the funds. Authorities said Pine also shared plans to leave the country after the killing.
Detectives said they arrested Pine as he was walking back to his hotel.
After being read his Miranda rights, Pine initially denied involvement but later confessed, telling investigators it was the only way he could have the possibility of seeing his child again.
Pine was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of attempted premeditated murder and solicitation of a capital felony. He is being held without bond.
