Florida authorities have arrested an 81-year-old woman for allegedly trying to orchestrate a hired hit.
Elouise Ruth Leland was arrested on Friday, January 16, after she allegedly met with undercover detectives posing as hired assassins. Police claim Leland wanted to pay for someone’s death but have not said who she wanted dead.
That person, though, is safe, officers assured in a statement.
The bust happened thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit and Major Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, detectives received confidential information about Leland looking for someone willing to commit a murder-for-hire. Detectives started looking into Leland and in time, while posing as possible paid guns, arranged to meet with her to discuss the plan in detail.
During their meeting on January 16, Leland allegedly provided police with a name and agreed to pay a certain amount of money for the killing to be carried out, according to a statement.
The meeting ended, and detectives went to a judge to obtain an arrest warrant. Leland was booked with no problems and is now a guest of the Citrus County Detention Facility. She is being held with no bond, charged with solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Investigators said evidence gathered during their investigation determined no additional individuals were involved and that there is currently no danger to the intended victim.
“Thanks to the quick actions of our Criminal Investigations Division and partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to prevent the senseless murder of another,” Sheriff Dave Vincent said in the statement. “This case is yet another example of how we are stronger together and that working together ensures the safety and integrity of our community.”
Vincent added that the sheriff’s office will continue to work closely with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office to ensure Leland is held fully accountable.
This recent arrest comes one year after Leland was charged with multiple felony counts related to animal cruelty.
Leland, who has been a breeder for more than 12 years, has had more than 90 dogs seized from her home.
She had been cited by county officials in 2013 for keeping pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs and cats in inhumane living conditions. Police said the animals were being kept in inadequate pens with no access to water, shelter, or sufficient medical care. At that time, Leland surrendered all of the livestock due to the animal cruelty unit’s interventions.
But in January 2025, during a routine inspection, the county’s animal cruelty unit found several dogs at Leland’s home with obvious medical ailments. They also found a dead dog in an outdoor enclosure.
The animals were safely removed from her possession and treated for medical conditions and ailments. Leland was charged with one felony count and five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, with the potential for additional charges pending the results of forensic intake exams.
“These animals have endured unimaginable suffering, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the care and compassion they deserve,” Citrus County Animal Services Director Colleen Yarbrough said at the time. “We are proud to partner with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and outside resources on this critical rescue and now ask the public to lend a helping hand as well.”
Police later learned at least five other dogs had died while with Leland, including a wolf-hybrid named Phoenix, who wasted away from malnutrition. Leland was additionally charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and five counts of animal neglect.
If you know of or suspect animal abuse or neglect, you are urged to contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals through their website or call your local animal control officer.
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