Two charged in murder plot
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A grand jury has charged two Russellville men with conspiracy to commit murder.
Investigators said the two men conspired to kill a potential witness in an ongoing drug investigation.
Felix Diaz, 34, of 1206 Harrison Avenue in Russellville, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder on Nov. 4, four days after a man that officials allege he paid to kill a witness was arrested.
A grand jury recently upheld the charges.
Diaz is accused of offering $10,000 to Javier Villa, 23, of 101 Todd St. in Russellville, to kill a Russellville man who is a potential witness against Diaz.
Investigators said that Villa forced his way into the victim's home between 9 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 30. The victim was able to force Villa out of his home and identified him to authorities.
He was arrested later that night.
Villa was charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree assault and intimidating a witness. A grand jury added the conspiracy charges in March.
Investigators said that Diaz offered $10,000 to Villa to have the victim killed.
Both Villa and Diaz have been released on bail.
A person convicted of conspiracy to commit murder faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life. Intimidating a witness is a Class C felony, which carries a sentence of 1-10 years.
