Hitman suspect charged

MILAN — More than three months after she was arrested for allegedly hiring an undercover FBI agent to kill her former son-in-law, a Milan woman was charged in federal court Tuesday with one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.Sandra Haughawout, 70, was charged via a criminal information filed in U.S. District Court.The U.S. Attorney's office in Cleveland said Haughawout was arrested after she attempted to locate and hire a hitman to kill her daughter's ex-husband. She told an undercover FBI agent she'd pay up to $10,000 to have him killed, according to court documents.On May 30, the undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman met with Haughawout in Milan. Haughawout said her daughter was having a dispute with the former son-in-law over custody of the children, according to court documents.Haughawout agreed to pay the agent $8,000 up front and an additional $2,000 when the "deed" was done. She told the agent the code would be the agent "had the dog put down," according to court documents, signifying her ex-son-in-law was dead.Haughawout asked the undercover agent to follow her, and she showed him the former son-in-law's home and workplace.She had been held inside the Lucas County jail since her arrest, but was recently transferred to the corrections center in Napoleon, Ohio, a family friend told the Register. Her husband has been allowed weekly visits with her. If convicted, Haughawout's sentence would be determined by the Court. Her prior criminal record, if any, her role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation, all would be considered, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Any sentence imposed would not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it would be less than the maximum, the office said. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.*Note: This update has been changed to correct information about where Haughawout is being held. Sandra Lee Haughawout