Hillsborough Woman Faces Federal Charges in Husband's Murder-for-Hire

Cristie Sehorne of Lithia called 911 on the morning of June 7, 2007, telling dispatchers that she found her estranged husband’s body near her back door. This week, almost four years later, she was arrested and charged with Thomas Sehorne’s murder.

Federal authorities describe the situation as a murder-for-hire plot involving Cristie Sehorne’s then-boyfriend and a former member of the Latin Kings street gang.

Cristie and Thomas were separated when Thomas was shot and killed. Cristie is now remarried to Jerry Bottorff and lives in Brandon.

Earlier this week, Christie and Bottorff were arrested in Missouri on federal charges of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder for hire. Another man, Luis Angel Lopez, was allegedly the gunman. Lopez was also arrested. All three face charges in federal court in Tampa.

When Thomas Sehorne was killed, the couple had been married for eight years. They had two young children.

Federal prosecutors claim that Cristie Sehorne began a relationship with Bottorff while still married to Thomas Sehorne. Thomas worked on an ocean-going tug boat and was away from home for weeks at a time.

Cristie and her then-boyfriend, now-husband allegedly approached a former member of the Latin Kings gang and offered to pay $60,000 for the murder of Thomas Sehorne after they received his life insurance proceeds.

The former gang member asked Lopez to participate in the scheme. He eventually hid in Thomas Sehorne’s carport, surprised him and shot him in the chest. After he fell, Lopez put his gun to Sehorne’s head and fired the fatal shot.

Cristie refused to cooperate with the investigation into her husband’s death, according to Thomas Sehorne’s family. They also claim that Cristie has refused to allow them to see the children since Thomas Sehorne’s death.

The indictment unsealed on Monday asks that the life insurance proceeds be forfeited to the court. If convicted, Cristie Sehorne, Jerry Bottorff and Luis Angel Lopez could face life in prison or death.