Published: July 02, 2008 09:31 am      

Murder for hire

Knox Co. brothers arrested on charges of murder for hire

By Brad Hicks | Staff Writer

A Knox County man was arrested Friday for his alleged involvement in a murder for hire plot against a witness set to testify against his brother, who is currently in jail on drug-related charges.

On Friday, an affidavit written by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Richard McMahan detailing the case was filed in United States District Court in London. According to the affidavit, the case involves everything from talking in code and the use of recording devices to obtain evidence to the exchange of firearms and a mock death scene.

Randall K. Perkins, 47, was being housed in the Whitley County Detention Center on state drug charges. During the weekend of May 8, a man, who later became a cooperating witness with the ATF and is referred to as CW1 in the affidavit, was jailed with Randall Perkins. The two men were familiar with one another because they had previously been incarcerated in the Kentucky Penal System together, according to the affidavit.

Randall Perkins had been jailed on drug charges as the result of an investigation by the Barbourville Police Department conducted in fall 2007. He was arrested after the police used a cooperating witness to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from him.

While in jail Randall Perkins allegedly told CW1 the identity of the witness scheduled to testify against him in court on the drug charges and said if the evidence from this witness could not be introduced, charges against him would be dropped. Randall Perkins allegedly solicited CW1 to murder the testifying witness and provided CW1 with directions to the witness’ home.

In an effort to keep the discussion of the proposed murder under wraps, Randall Perkins allegedly told CW1 to discuss the plan under the code of the construction of a building. He also told CW1 to contact his brother, Bill R. Perkins, 42, of Barbourville, who had knowledge of the plan, according to the affidavit, and that the murder needed to be completed before his June 26 court date.

CW1, following his release from the Whitley County Detention Center, notified authorities of the plot and agreed to cooperate in the investigation.

On May 14, CW1, while wearing an electronic recorder, went to the home of Bill Perkins, who said he had no knowledge of the plan, but advised CW1 he would contact his brother about it.

In a phone conversation between CW1 and Bill Perkins on May 20, Bill Perkins again said he did not know of the “job” as he had not had an opportunity to speak with Randall Perkins. CW1 also said Randall Perkins had promised him $4,000 and a car to pull off the “job.”

On May 28, CW1 visited Randall Perkins in jail and was told that Bill Perkins was still unaware of the plot. During the conversation, Randall Perkins said he wanted the witness in his drug case “taken care of” and again provided CW1 with directions to the witness’ home.

The following day, the affidavit states CW1 received a hand-written letter signed by Randall Perkins, which stated he had called his brother “about that garage,” and promised to pay CW1 once that garage was “built to stay built.”

On June 9, CW1 received a letter from “RKP.” The letter allegedly advised him to “go see B. He has a tool.” The letter further states “Pick up the tool then after the jobs done pick up the payment. I go to court he dosnt (sic) show up. I get out. I take care of you. Make you smile,” Perkins allegedly wrote.

Two days later, CW1 and an undercover agent went to the residence of Bill Perkins, where they were given a .22 caliber rifle and 16 rounds of ammunition. The two also noticed marijuana being grown outside the home, the affidavit states. CW1 also expressed disappointment to Bill Perkins that he had no money for the job at that time.

Before CW1 and the undercover agent left the residence, Bill Perkins allegedly told them “I hope I never see that gun again.” The affidavit further states that Bill Perkins told the men “But, ah, I’ll send word to him that you’ve been by, and I’ve took care of you on that part. You’ve got that wrench that’s so important to building that garage.”

Last Wednesday, CW1 again met with Randall Perkins at the detention center and showed him a cell-phone photograph of a person who appeared to be dead. According to the affidavit, Randall Perkins advised CW1 he would “make a phone call tonight (to) get the payment on the garage deal.”

This cell-phone photograph was actually a mock death scene constructed by police to be used as part of the investigation.

Friday, Bill Perkins was arrested on a federal warrant and housed in the Laurel County Detention Center. He is being charged with a count of interstate murder for hire, one count of knowing transfer of a firearm to be used in a crime of violence, and one count of manufacturing marijuana. For the charges of murder for hire and transfer of a firearm, he faces 10 years on each count.

A federal detainer was placed on Randall Perkins Friday, who is still being lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Craig Roegner, public information officer for the ATF — Louisville Field Division — said the case was a joint investigation between the Barbourville Police Department and the ATF. He said law enforcement acted quickly in securing the warrants and acting on them because officials had probable cause to believe that Perkins could in fact locate someone to carry out the alleged murder for hire plot.

“We take these types of investigations very seriously,” Roegner said. “That’s why we act quickly in these cases.”