Inmate Charged in Murder for Hire Plot

Felix Nicolas, already in custody within Santa Barbara County Jail, was “re-booked” on Tuesday after he was implicated in a murder-for-hire plot.

Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Drew Sugars stated the the 36-year-old Santa Maria man tried to have someone kill the victims in his pending rape and child molestation cases. The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted an investigation during which Nicolas identified his intended victims in social media photos. He also reportedly negotiated a price to have the hits carried out.

Nicolas is charged with solicitation to commit murder and felony dissuading a victim to testify. His new bail is set at $1,000,000.