JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Two people were arrested in what police said was a plot to murder a man, then dispose of his body by feeding it to alligators.
Betty Sikes (pictured, left), 59, and her ex-husband, Alvin Howard (pictured, right), 46, were charged with solicitation of murder after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office uncovered what they said was elaborate plans to kill Sikes' current husband, Lee Ferguson.
Investigators said Sikes has been married at least nine times, and that she and current husband Ferguson and former husband Alvin Lee Howard were all living in the same house, along with another former husband.
According to police reports, Sikes and Howard met with a police informant twice to plan the murder of Ferguson. The report further states that Sikes and Howard supplied a handgun and ammunition, and told the source where to find Ferguson on April 17.
Police report that the informant told the suspect April 19 that Ferguson had been killed, and his body fed to the gators at the Keystone Heights Alligator Farm -- producing Ferguson's wedding ring to prove it.
The informant wore a recording device during the meetings, providing evidence that allowed police to obtain arrest warrants against the suspects.
The victim of the alledged plot told Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh this morning that he was shocked when he arrived at work one day, two investigators were waiting for him, and rushed him off to a hotel to hide him.
"Shoot me and feed me to the alligators. Unbelieveable," Ferguson told Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh. "The only reason I can think of is, I've got a $350,000 (life insurance) policy at work."
Ferguson said he and Sikes were only married for four months, and he thought she was happy.
Police said that both Sikes and Howard were arrested Friday, after Sikes called to report Ferguson missing. They are being held without bond.
In a twist to the case, shortly after Ferguson spoke with WJXT, he was also booked into the Duval County Jail. Police said he forged a check belonging to Howard.
Copyright 2007 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
