Investigation centers on ex-husband in murder-for-hire plot

(WXYZ) - An investigation into a murder-for-hire plot targeting an Armada woman now centers on her ex-husband.

Sources say Kevin Sears, 34, was arrested at his Richmond home Thursday. He is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to solicit murder. Sears was denied bond during an interim bond hearing held Saturday morning.

It’s the second time Sears has been taken into custody in connection with the case . He was arrested in April 2011 along with several other people. Sears was released, but four of the other five have since been convicted on serious crimes.

Investigators say Sears’ girlfriend, Mallorie Wilson-Strat, and Sears’ sister, Christina Sears , hatched a plot to kill his estranged wife, Jessica. In their first attempt, police say the women paid $1100 to David Clark to complete the job. He broke into the house while Jessica and her three young children were sleeping, but had a change of heart and left with just her purse.

Police say Wilson-Strat and Sears later tried again to have Jessica Sears murdered, but unknowingly hired an undercover officer as their hit man. The women paid $500 as a down payment before they were arrested.

Sources say the couple was in the middle of a divorce, and Kevin didn’t want Jessica to have the house or kids.

It’s unclear at this time what led to the arrest of Kevin Sears. Calls to Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith were not immediately returned.

Mallorie Wilson-Strat, Christina Sears, David Clark and one of his associates, Jorden Powell, have since been convicted on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit murder. That charge can carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Bashar Mansour was also charged, but he was found not guilty.