A Los Angeles documentarian who was the intended target of a foiled hit, ordered by hotel heiress Paris Hilton‘s former business partner, said he worries there will soon be a second attempt on his life.
Los Angeles film producer J. Esco, 38, said he’s “very, very scared” his former boss, Fereidoun Khalilian, will try to have him killed again, if he’s released from a Las Vegas prison at the end of this month.
“I honestly don’t know what to do,” Esco told The Post. “He knows where I live, and this guy knows a lot of bad people. I don’t want to leave Los Angeles or change my name.”
Federal authorities allege in court documents Khalilian, 52, tried to have Esco killed for $20,000.
Khalilian claims to come from Arabian royalty, and introduces himself to people as “Prince Fred,”
Khalilian claims to come from Arabian royalty, and introduces himself to people as “Prince Fred,” according to the feds in legal filings.
In 2004, Khalilian partnered with socialite Hilton to open an Orlando, FL, nightclub, doltishly named Club Paris — a venture that folded by the end of 2007.
Khalilian’s also accused in a lawsuit of bilking two Oklahoman Indian tribes out of millions through PokerTribes, an online gambling site that never launched.
Esco told The Post he was hired in 2009 as an IT specialist for Khalilian’s now-dissolved robocalling company. He decided in 2019 to make a documentary about Khalilian’s lavish life, with the subject’s permission.
For the film, Esco interviewed Khalilian, several of the businessman’s associates, and all of his bodyguards. “His bodyguards, they know everything about him,” Esco explained. “My film was going to expose him as a con artist.”
In March 2023, when Khalilian allegedly learned the documentary’s true purpose, authorities allege he first threatened Esco by phone.
“Listen to me, you motherf–ker. When I’m done with you, I’m going to cut each one of your f–king fingers off,” a criminal complaint alleges Khalilian said in a recorded call. “I’m coming for you, motherf–ker.”
Later the same day, Khalilian allegedly contacted one of his former bodyguards, Michael Sherwood, and offered him $20,000 to murder Esco. Khalilian allegedly told Sherwood he didn’t want Esco’s body to ever be found.
Sherwood took the contract, but instead reached out to Esco to tell him about the murderous plot. The men then contacted the FBI.
“I am about to expose him to the whole world, and things escalated quickly,” Esco said. “At first, he just wanted me to be beaten up, and then, he’s saying,’Kill, kill, kill him.'”
The two men worked together to stage Esco’s death. After receiving 76 pictures and a video showing a bound and bloodied Esco splayed out on the floor, authorities claim Khalilian began sending Sherwood installments of $3,000 via CashApp.
Khalilian was arrested in June 2023 and charged with murder-for-hire. Months later, a conspiracy to commit witness tampering charge was tacked on, after investigators claim he tried to get a witness to recant a statement from behind bars.
Court documents reviewed by The Post confirm the murder-for-hire charge against Khalilian was dropped last fall on venue grounds after a federal judge learned the hit was allegedly ordered while Khalilian was abroad, vacationing in Paris with his model girlfriend, Andrea Aguilera.
On June 27, a Las Vegas judge could sign off on a plea deal — orchestrated by defense lawyers and the prosecution without Esco’s input. The deal — a guilty plea for time served, and three years of post-release parole — would set Khalilian free.
“The justice system is broken,” said Esco. “He’s gonna get out and try to have me killed again.”
At a June 7 hearing, Judge Richard Boulware scoffed at the deal’s terms, given the seriousness of the allegations, and ordered a pre-sentencing report. Esco plans to be there to deliver a victim impact statement.
