Saturday morning, Lufkin Police detectives arrested a local bookstore owner following a month-long investigation into a kidnapping-for-hire plot which crossed state lines.

According to release from the Lufkin Police Department, Jason McLaughlin was taken into custody on a charge of second-degree felony criminal solicitation of aggravated kidnapping.  Lufkin Police Det. Cpl. Kevin Jackson led the investigation into McLaughlin’s attempt to hire someone to kidnap a man, who lives in Louisiana. During the course of Jackson’s investigation, he discovered that McLaughlin’s intent was to kill the man following the kidnapping.
Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, only limited details will be released.
Additional charges against McLaughlin are likely, Jackson said.

 

Police Chief Gerald Williamson applauded Jackson’s efforts in the case. He said that the department’s current priority is to safeguard all involved parties.
“It isn’t unusual for someone to get angry, but it is odd and rare that someone would do something affirmatively to carry out those thoughts,” Williamson said. “That’s why we devoted so many resources and so much time to this investigation. It is now crucial that we protect everyone that has been threatened by this individual.”

More From 101.5 KNUE