South Florida Developer Sergio Pino Tied to Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Wife
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A prominent South Florida developer, Sergio Pino, has been linked to an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving his wife, Tatiana, as FBI investigations reveal disturbing details. According to federal prosecutors, Pino conspired to have Tatiana murdered after she rejected his $20 million divorce settlement offer. Their marital finances were significant, with the couple’s net worth estimated at over $150 million.
The FBI’s investigation into the plot unfolded with the cooperation of Avery Bivins, one of the men allegedly recruited to form a “murder crew.” Bivins, who had met Fausto Villar, another key player in the case, while serving prison time for attempted felony murder and armed robbery, agreed to cooperate with authorities. In July, Bivins made a recorded call to Villar as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle the plot.
During the controlled call on July 15, Villar sounded uneasy, stating, “Straight. But the f—ing smoke has to clear… Everything has to clear.” Bivins’ decision to cooperate came as FBI agents were closing in on the plotters, with several arrests already made.
Villar and Pino were connected through a roofing company owned by Villar’s wife, which had worked on the Pino family’s $8 million waterfront Coral Gables home. But according to the FBI, Pino tasked Villar with a far more sinister job: to arrange Tatiana’s murder.
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Villar had already paid Bivins $75,000 as part of a $150,000 contract to kill Tatiana, with the promise of a $150,000 bonus if the murder was carried out without detection. The conspiracy grew more apparent as Bivins provided further details to the FBI, including conversations between him and Villar discussing their concerns about being caught.
The July 15 call proved a pivotal moment in the investigation. FBI arrest teams moved in the following morning, detaining Villar and eventually Pino. However, Pino avoided facing charges for his alleged involvement when he fatally shot himself in the head.
The FBI’s complaint also outlined an earlier attempt on June 23, where one of Bivins’ recruits confronted Tatiana outside her Pinecrest home with a firearm. Fortunately, she managed to escape by fleeing into her house.
Despite Pino’s death, the case against Villar and several other individuals continues. All nine men involved in the plot have been indicted on various charges, including conspiracy, stalking, and arson. Bivins’ cooperation with the authorities, including his pivotal role in the recorded call, has been critical in unraveling the web of criminal activity surrounding this case.
As the legal proceedings unfold, one question remains clear: the motivations for the plot trace back to the couple’s bitter financial disputes and Pino’s desire to avoid a costly divorce settlement. Tatiana, who survived the attempts on her life, continues to seek justice as the case moves forward.
