HOUSTON – A 46-year-old Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, has been arrested and taken into federal custody, accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme aimed at U.S. government officials, including former President Donald Trump. Merchant, who allegedly has ties to Iran, was arrested in Houston in July following a federal investigation into the plot.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday, Merchant traveled to Houston in April 2024 to recruit individuals for his assassination plot. While in the U.S., he made contact with a confidential informant, who reported his activities to law enforcement. The investigation led Merchant to meet with the source in New York and Boston, where he outlined his plan and requested help with stealing sensitive documents, organizing protests, and targeting government officials for assassination.
Merchant reportedly detailed his plan on a napkin in a hotel room in New York, stating that he was working for foreign handlers who had instructed him to finalize the plot. He arranged for hitmen to meet with undercover officers posing as criminals and paid $5,000 upfront for the murder.
Federal authorities arrested Merchant in the Houston area on July 12. During the arrest, they discovered a handwritten note in his wallet containing coded language related to the assassination plan. Despite a tense standoff, Merchant was taken into custody and later waived his preliminary hearing. He now faces charges in the Eastern District of New York.
The investigation into Merchant’s activities is ongoing, with authorities examining potential foreign connections. Merchant remains in federal custody as legal proceedings continue.
