FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — A Fort Cavazos soldier has been arrested for an alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot in Connecticut, according to reports from Connecticut State Police.
According to the reports, 30-year-old Jeremiah Peikert was arrested in Norwich, CT, and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Risk of Injury to Minors.
The reports state Peikert was allegedly involved in a plot to murder a 29-year-old woman, a 23-year-old man the reports say was her boyfriend and a 10-year-old girl and a 1-year-old girl, both of whom the report identifies as the woman's children.
An arrest warrant application from the State of Connecticut Superior Court states that Jeremiah Peikert's brother Joshua Peikert was incarcerated at the Corrigan Correctional Center in Montville, CT when he allegedly hired another inmate to find someone to kill the four people.
A witness statement from the inmate, who said they were Joshua Peikert's cellmate, stated Peikert said he wanted the four victims killed. The inmate stated they told Joshua Peikert they knew some people who could "have that taken care of". Joshua Peikert allegedly agreed to pay the inmate to find someone and pay to have the four people killed, according to the statement.
The inmate said in their statement they never had "any intention of hiring a hitman or committing any violence towards" the victims.
The arrest warrant application states Jeremiah Peikert made multiple payments to the inmate and spoke with the inmate on the phone about the payments.
Jeremiah Peikert said in a statement in the application that he had been asked by Joshua Peikert to put money into the inmate's account and had discussed a "construction job". Jeremiah Peikert stated he knew the "construction job" was not related to construction and believed it was a plan to have the woman hurt, though he said he did not believe the children would be involved and never knew how the victim would be hurt.
Jeremiah Peikert said he initially did not want any involvement in the plan and "reluctantly" transferred the money after being pressured by his brother and the inmate.
Jeremiah Peikert's bail has reportedly been set at $500,000.
Joshua Peikert is reportedly still incarcerated in the CT Department of Correction and is facing the same charges, according to the reports.
A Fort Cavazos spokesperson gave 6 News the following statement:
"Sergeant Jeremiah Peikert, is a 30-year-old U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Cavazos in Texas. He joined the Army on June 4, 2012. His MOS is a Network Communications Systems Specialist (E25H). Peikert is currently assigned to the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade on Fort Cavazos, Texas.
The U.S. Army and officials at Fort Cavazos are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The Army takes allegations of criminal behavior by its members extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with law enforcement. Charges are merely accusations and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty."
More from 6 News:
