CALDWELL -- The Canyon County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Caldwell man on charge that he intended to have a local police chief killed.
John Wayne Richmond Jr., 24, appeared before a grand jury Monday. Court records say his target was Homedale Police Chief Jeff Eidemiller. Richmond is in the Canyon County Jail charged with solicitation to commit murder.
Authorities believe they know Richmond's motive, but can not release the details right now. They do know that Richmond has apparently had previous contact with Eidemiller.
Detectives learned about this case just three days ago. Working around the clock, several agencies put together an operation and made the arrest Wednesday. We're told Richmond tried to exchange drugs for a handgun from several undercover police officers in Caldwell. They believe he intended to use that gun to shoot Eidemiller.
Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney John Bujak says the charge that Richmond is facing means he planned to kill someone. In this case, the Homedale police chief.
Richmond is scheduled to be in court today in Canyon County. He's currently in the jail being held on $1 million bond.
