Pasco: Woman charged in murder plot

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Woman charged in murder plot

A Spring Hill woman and her co-worker planned the attempt to murder her husband, officials say.

By BETH GLENN

BAYONET POINT -- A pistol-whipping incident during which a man impersonated a federal agent and held a gun on four people last month was actually a botched attempt at murder, Sheriff's Office reports said.

Investigators now think what looked at first like aggravated assault and kidnapping was really the result of a conspiracy between a Spring Hill woman and her co-worker to kill the woman's husband.

Jennifer Eichhorn, 24, of 14304 Shea Drive in Spring Hill was arrested Tuesday for plotting her husband's murder with Thomas Baxter, 21, of 7621 Cumber Drive in New Port Richey.

Eichhorn was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder, while Baxter was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, impersonating an officer, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon.

Both were being held Thursday without bail at the Land O'Lakes detention center.

According to sheriff's reports, Eichhorn came to the Sheriff's Office Tuesday and said she had "problems at home," before giving the following account that resulted in her arrest:

She said she wanted to leave her husband, Lonnie Eichhorn, but he warned she would be separated from her children if she left. Lonnie Eichhorn said that if his wife did gain custody after a split, "It wouldn't be hard to have her taken care of."

Lisa Eichhorn took this to mean that her life was in danger and confided in co-worker Baxter. He said "he had friends who could take care of the problem," reports said. The two discussed how it would look like a hit-and-run accident if Lonnie Eichhorn met with misfortune while riding his bicycle to work at Whitney & Son Seafood in Hudson -- something he did each morning.

At 8 p.m. on April 27, Lisa Eichhorn called Baxter with details of her husband's route.

At 5 a.m. the next morning, Lonnie Eichhorn left for work. Later, he would tell investigating deputies he thought someone may have followed him. According to those reports, around 5:30 a.m. a camouflage-clad man authorities think was Baxter strode onto the south loading dock at Whitney & Son and pointed a pellet gun and flashlight at Brent Wilson.

The man said he was an FBI agent and told Wilson to lie down. After telling the man his name, Wilson said, he was marched at gunpoint into the fish cutting and storage area, where three of his co-workers were directed to lie prone as well. The gunman asked which one was Eichhorn. Upon finding out, he announced Eichhorn was under arrest for conspiracy and secured his hands behind his back with what later turned out to be toy handcuffs.

The two disappeared outside, witnesses said. They scuffled, and Eichhorn was beaten about the head with the gun before he slipped from the handcuffs. The assailant sat on his chest and choked him with the police-type flashlight until Eichhorn gained the gun and the upper hand. The attacker fled.

Eichhorn returned to co-workers bloody from the man's gun barrel, a handcuff dangling from one wrist.

His wife was arrested six days later.

Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll said more charges may be forthcoming against Baxter.

-- Times staff writer Beth Glenn can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229 or (800) 333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is glenn@sptimes.com.

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