Published: September 20, 2008 02:40 pm      

Two arrested in murder plot

Update 2

Ada — Pontotoc County District Attorney Chris Ross said two people were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of first-degree murder Friday, and a third arrest is expected.

Tonia Mullins, 32, Ada, and Regina Hercules, 42, Ada, were arrested after they allegedly attempted to hire a hit man to kill another Ada resident. The intended target was reportedly the wife of a man who is in the military.

The serviceman—who is stationed in South Korea—is also suspected in the alleged crime and will be arrested by military officials, Ross said.

“The two females arrested approached someone and expressed their intent, allegedly, and were eventually introduced to an undercover officer,” Ross said. “The FBI and the OSBI investigated it with our office providing legal advice and being consulted on what was going on. They made the arrest (Friday) here locally.”

Investigators have video tapes, audio tapes, text messages and photographs as evidence in the case, Ross said.

Mullins is in the city jail while Hercules is in the county jail. Ross said the two are being held separately so they can’t communicate with each other. Bail is set at $1 million each.

The affidavit for the case is sealed and it is unknown if either have been formally charged. Authorities are not releasing the names of the serviceman or his wife until he is formally charged.