A doctor from Louisville is charged with attempting to pay an undercover FBI agent to kill her ex-husband.
The Department of Justice alleged that 52-year-old Stephanie Russell contacted an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman and promised to pay $7,000 in return for the murder of her ex-husband.
Russell allegedly left a partial payment of $3,500 in a drop box outside her medical office on Wednesday and promised to pay the remaining balance after the death of her ex-husband.
Around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, FBI agents arrested her and booked her into the Oldham County Detention Center.
According to court documents, Russell’s ex-husband filed for divorce in 2018, and the divorce was finalized in 2020. Prior to her arrest, the two were involved in a continuing custody dispute.
Pediatrician at KidzLife Pediatrics in Prospect, Russell is. On Friday morning, a “closed” sign was put up on the door of the hospital.
The Louisville Metropolitan Police Department provided assistance to the FBI during the investigation.
Russell could face 10 years without parole in federal prison if convicted.
