BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Lake Worth Beach mother is accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill witnesses in a murder case brought against her son. She is now in custody. The son previously entered a guilty plea. We are publishing the just-released announcement from PBSO, followed by the initial announcements made by the law enforcement agency:
THE LATEST: In April 2024, PBSO gathered information that the mother of Manuel Marcos Cardona was attempting to solicit someone to murder two cooperating witnesses in her son’s case. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division and undercover PBSO Agents began an investigation meeting with the defendant on multiple occasions in an undercover capacity during which she agreed to pay an undercover Agent to kill the two witnesses involved in the case against her son. As a result of this long-term investigation, Josefina Cardona-Cardona, H/F, DOB: 1/03/1981, is being charged with two counts of Solicitation to Commit Murder. It should be noted that Josefina Cardona-Cardona is also in the United States illegally and will be subject to deportation following the completion of her prosecution.
BACKGROUND: On June 29, 2022, further investigation detectives to identify a suspect, Manuel Marcos Cardona, H/M, 4/15/2008. Detectives learned that Cardona possibly fled to NC to avoid prosecution. On July 19, 2022, detectives were notified that Cardona was located in Tarboro, NC. PBSO detectives traveled to NC and obtained a search warrant for Cardona’s residence where they recovered items related to the crime. Cardona was arrested and extradited back to Florida. In February 2024, Manuel Marcos Cardona pled guilty and was sentenced to 10 years DOC time. He is subject to deportation following his sentence.
THE ORIGINAL REPORT FROM Date: June 18, 2022. Time: 10:33 pm. Location: 300 block of North G Street, City of Lake Worth Beach
Deputies responded to a fight in the 300 block of North G Street, City of Lake Worth Beach. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from a stabbing wound(s). The male was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division are investigating this stabbing as a homicide. Suspect information is unknown at this time.
Anyone with information on the fight that occurred last evening in the 300 block of North G Street, City of Lake Worth Beach, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.
