OSBI: Man And Woman Arrested In McAlester Murder-For-Hire Plot

A McAlester man and woman allegedly plotted to kill a woman in order to retain custody of her toddler. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents say the two are in custody after a sting operation interrupted their plans.

A news bulletin says Billy Crenshaw began plotting the murder of his granddaughter's mother earlier this month. Crenshaw, 53, had custody of his granddaughter, but agents say the mother wanted her back.

Crenshaw reportedly told an acquaintance he would forgive a debt if that acquaintance would kill the child's mother.

The acquaintance said he met with Shonda Bridge-Miller who also wanted the girl's mother killed. She is related by marriage to Crenshaw, according to the OSBI. 

Agents say the person who was asked to kill the woman instead went to the OSBI and acted as an informant, recording a meeting where Bridge-Miller, Crenshaw and the informant drove to the intended victim's home outside town.

Bridge-Miller brought a gun with its serial number ground off for use in the murder-for-hire, the news release states.

A McAlester Police Officer, who was in on the sting operation, stopped the vehicle and recovered the gun, arresting Bridge-Miller. OSBI agents and members of the District 18 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force later went to Crenshaw's home in the 1200 block of Key Road and took him into custody.

Agents say the intended victim was in a safe location that night.