Who Is Samuel Sheinbein? Age, Biography and Wiki
Samuel Sheinbein was born on July 25, 1980, making him 45 years old in 2025. He gained notoriety in the late 1990s due to his involvement in a high-profile murder case that ultimately led to his conviction. As an American-Israeli citizen, his case drew significant media attention, given the international implications and discussions surrounding his dual nationality and the legal battles that followed.
| Occupation | Law Enforcement Officer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1980 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | |
| Date of death | 23 February, 2014 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Samuel Sheinbein's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Samuel Sheinbein's physical attributes are often less discussed but remain a point of interest. He stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and has maintained a weight of around 160 lbs. His body measurements reflect a generally average physique, which has evolved over the years.
Authorities believe that this murder was premeditated by Sheinbein and Needle. Sheinbein and Needle allegedly incapacitated Tello with a stun gun, and then choked and stabbed Tello, finally beating him to death with a sawed-off shotgun.
The autopsy report concluded that the cause of death of the victim was "a combination of blunt force injuries to the head, cutting wounds on the neck and chest, and ligature strangulation".
The two stored the body of Tello in Sheinbein's garage, where they dismembered the victim's limbs and burned the torso so that Tello could not be identified as the victim. Sheinbein arranged to dispose of the body in a vacant home for sale previously owned by his classmate.
Sheinbein told the classmate he wanted to use the vacant residence to be with a girl in private. Authorities believe Sheinbein and Needle transported the body to the neighborhood residence in a garbage bag in the back of Needle's Honda. The two then allegedly transported their tools of mutilation in a wheelbarrow to the vacant home.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Samuel Sheinbein's personal life remains largely private. Historical records suggest that his family was deeply affected by his actions, impacting their public persona and relationships. There is no available information regarding any current boyfriend or girlfriend, and it is essential to note his situation may limit opportunities for traditional relationships.
At age 17, Sheinbein informed a friend that he offered $5,000 for someone to kill the boyfriend of his crush and $1,000 for someone to lure his rival into a vehicle. Sheinbein sought someone to murder as practice for his intended target, according to the Montgomery County, Maryland Deputy State's Attorney, John McCarthy.
Net Worth and Salary
Though concrete figures about Samuel Sheinbein's net worth are elusive, estimates suggest he has limited financial resources due to his incarceration and legal expenditures. Reports indicate that his assets could be minimal, primarily derived from any family support, considering the circumstances surrounding his life post-conviction.
Career, Business and Investments
Due to his criminal record, Samuel Sheinbein's opportunities for a traditional career are severely limited. Prior to his incarceration, he was known as a student and had aspirations that were derailed by his actions. Currently, he is unable to engage in business ventures, and there are no public records of any investments in recent years.
The district court's decision was appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court. In February 1999, a five-judge panel of the Supreme Court blocked Sheinbein's extradition in a 3–2 ruling. It cited a 1978 law that banned the extradition of Israeli citizens.
While acknowledging that Israel had signed a treaty with the United States allowing the extradition of citizens in 1963, it ruled that the 1978 law took precedence, and Sheinbein's lack of ties to Israel did not negate his claim to citizenship.
Concern was expressed over the possibility that this ruling could turn Israel into a sanctuary for criminals. In writing his dissenting opinion, Justice Aharon Barak, the President of the Israeli Supreme Court, wrote of this possibility.
The court's majority opinion, authored by Justice Theodor Or, expressed the position that the law prohibited Sheinbein's extradition, and the district court's ruling implied different levels of Israeli citizenship.
In spite of this, Or wrote that it would have been ideal had Sheinbein been tried in the United States: "One can wonder if there is any justification for protecting someone from extradition when that person is not a resident and has no connection to Israel.
It is hard to see any injustice when citizens have to stand trial for crimes they committed in a country which is the very center of their lives." In a last-ditch effort to have him extradited, Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein submitted a request that a larger panel of Supreme Court justices reexamine the case.
Deputy Supreme Court President Shlomo Levin rejected the request.
Social Network
Samuel Sheinbein's social media presence is virtually non-existent. Given his controversial background and criminal conviction, public interest would likely be constrained, and he would be unlikely to have a typical social media footprint. Friends and family maintain a low profile, providing little insight into his current social connections.
The case strained U.S.–Israeli relations and prompted an overhaul of Israeli extradition policy, which now requires a defendant seeking to avoid extradition to also demonstrate a "residential connection" to Israel.
The Washington Post wrote that it became "a sensational legal tug of war involving Congress, the State and Justice departments and the upper echelons of Israel's political and judicial establishments".
Education
Samuel Sheinbein attended high school before his legal troubles began. While details on his academic achievements remain scarce, his previous aspirations suggest he showed promise as a student before his conviction. However, specific educational institutions have not been publicly detailed following the events that led to his imprisonment.
Samuel Sheinbein (25 July 1980 – 23 February 2014) was an American-Israeli convicted murderer. On 16 September 1997, Sheinbein, a 17-year-old senior at John F. Kennedy High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Aaron Benjamin Needle, a former classmate, killed Alfredo "Freddy" Enrique Tello, Jr.
They subsequently dismembered and burned the corpse in Aspen Hill, Maryland. At the time, Israeli law prohibited extradition of Israeli citizens.
