Prison staff foils inmate's murder plot

PEORIA (25News Now) – A Peoria County Jail inmate is charged with organizing the murder of a man he allegedly shot in April.

A grand jury on Tuesday indicted Aubrae Harper, 43, of Peoria, on a charge of solicitation to commit murder. Sheriff Chris Watkins said jail staff intercepted a letter on May 10 in which Harper allegedly said he wanted to murder the shooting victim.

Harper is charged with aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with an April 6 shooting in the 800 block of South Western Avenue in Peoria.

The charge of aggravated assault and the new charge of solicitation are Class X felonies, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Judge Katherine Legge ordered Harper to remain in custody until his arraignment is scheduled for August 29.

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