Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007

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Murder plot to have used snakes to avenge debt

By Henrik Nilsson-Dahlbom

Two men in Lakewood, Colorado are being charged with conspiracy to commit murder after planning to use rattlesnakes to terrorize a poker debtor.

The two men allegedly intended to kill Matthew Sowash, the owner of Amateur Poker Tour in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, because of a $60,000 debt. Amateur Poker Tour arranges Texas Hold'em tournaments in bars in the Denver area.

Herbert Paul Beck, 56, and Christopher Lee Steelman, 34, have been arrested. Bail for each suspect has been set to $500,000 on suspicion of extortion, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder.

Beck invested $36,000 in Sowash's company last December and wanted to collect a debt from Sowash that with interest totaled $60,000.

The two suspects apparently discussed ways to kill Sowash, and Beck suggested rattlesnakes. They planned to build a wooden box to hold the rattlesnakes with holes in the lid for Sowash's legs. Beck also wanted to kidnap Sowash's children in order to force him to pay the money.

After receiving threatening e-mails Sowash contacted the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which led to the arrest of Beck and Steelman, who both have extensive arrest records.

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