Chicago man charged with trying to hire hit man

A Chicago man has been charged with trying to hire someone to kill two people believed to be witnesses against his son in a murder trial.

In a news release, the U.S. attorney’s office says 59-year-old Euripedes Caguana was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court Thursday.

The release says a person cooperating with the investigation told authorities that Caguana told him he was looking for someone to kill two people before they could testify at his son’s upcoming trial. Days later the person and an undercover officer posing as a hit man met with Caguana. Prosecutors allege Caguana gave the person $500 and offered to pay $7,500 for the killings.

It was not immediately known if Caguana has an attorney. The telephone at his home has been disconnected.