Brazil Murder-for-Hire Plot: Estranged Husband Indicted for Conspiracy
Indictment Reveals Multiple Payments to Accused Hitman
Federal prosecutors have indicted the estranged husband of a slain New York City art dealer in a murder-for-hire plot, saying he made multiple payments to the man arrested for the killing in Brazil during a contentious divorce.
Charges Include Murder Conspiracy and Passport Fraud
Daniel Sikkema, 54, of New York was indicted Tuesday on murder conspiracy charges, as well as passport fraud.
FBI Denounces “Callous Plan”
“The defendant allegedly hired a hitman to facilitate the international murder of his husband and attempted to conceal his involvement in this callous plan,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said in a statement.
Lawyer Denies Charges, Vows to Clear Client
Sikkema’s lawyer said his client is confident he will ultimately be cleared of the charges.
“Mr. Sikkema has maintained his innocence consistently. And he is entirely confident that he’ll be vindicated at trial,” his attorney Richard Levitt told The Associated Press by phone on Wednesday.
Victim’s Background and Connection to Art World
Sikkema’s husband, Brent Sikkema, then 75, was found stabbed to death in January 2024 in his townhouse in Rio de Janeiro, where he regularly traveled. Brent Sikkema, who prosecutors said had amassed a multimillion-dollar estate, co-owned the contemporary art gallery Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in Manhattan.
The gallery represents international artists including Jeffrey Gibson, Kara Walker, and Vik Muniz.
Accused Hitman’s Background
Shortly after the killing, Rio state police arrested a man who they identified as Alejandro Triana Trevez near the city of Uberaba, in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais. The man was on the run and found resting in a gas station.
Trevez was not referred to by name in the indictment unsealed Wednesday. According to Brazilian media, he had previously worked as the victim’s bodyguard.
Indictment Details Multiple Payments
According to the indictment, Daniel Sikkema, a U.S. and Cuban citizen, sent multiple payments to Trevez and his romantic partner in Cuba, from mid-2023 to January 2024. Prosecutors claim Sikkema used a stolen identity or an intermediary to make the payments while concealing his own identity.
Potential Consequences
If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death.
Conclusion
The indictment of Daniel Sikkema in the murder-for-hire plot is a shocking turn of events, and the potential consequences are severe. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigation and the commitment of law enforcement to bringing justice to those involved in heinous crimes.
FAQs
* What are the charges against Daniel Sikkema?
+ Murder conspiracy and passport fraud
* What is the potential punishment for conviction?
+ Mandatory life in prison or death
* Who is Alejandro Triana Trevez?
+ The accused hitman, previously identified as the victim’s bodyguard
* What is the background of Brent Sikkema, the victim?
+ He was a 75-year-old man who co-owned the contemporary art gallery Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in Manhattan and had a multimillion-dollar estate.
