SHERIFF SPOILS MURDER FOR HIRE SCHEME

WHEATON - Sheriff John E. Zaruba and States Attorney Joe Birkett today announced the charges of a Chicago man for a murder for hire scheme against his ex-wife.

            John Johnson, 41 (dob/07/31/67), 5800 block of Adams, Chicago, was charged this morning for trying to hire a “hitman” to murder his ex-wife. He has been charged with Solicitation of Murder, a Class X Felony.

Sheriff’s Detectives have been working the case that was brought forward by cooperating individual. This cooperating individual told the detectives that he was approached by Johnson who stated he wanted his wife murdered and that Johnson was willing to pay $3000.00 dollars to have her killed.

Through the cooperating individual, Sheriff’s detectives were able to use an undercover Sheriff’s Office deputy as the hired “hitman”.   Johnson contacted the undercover deputy and solicited him to murder his ex-wife.

Johnson will be in bond court tomorrow at 8am on the new charge which was approved by State’s Attorney Birkett.   Johnson was in custody for a violation of an Order of Protection that his ex-wife had against him during the Solicitation of Murder scheme.

“Despite physical separation and an order of protection, this case in yet another example of the need for continued vigilance in protecting victims of domestic violence,” commented Birkett.  “We will do all in our power to ensure that the defendant never has an opportunity to carry out his alleged scheme.”