Sierra Vista police use undercover officer to make an arrest

Sierra Vista police say an undercover officer posed as a hired killer, leading to the arrest of a former Cochise County Sheriff’s deputy in connection with a murder plot.

Israel Burkholder was indicted Nov. 10 on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Burkholder quit his job with the sheriff’s department in March 2015 after it was discovered he had been using prescription painkillers while on duty.

Police conducted surveillance on Burkholder over the past several months.

They say Burkholder believed the undercover officer would murder a Sierra Vista man in exchange for money.

Police say Burkholder allegedly provided information the undercover officer would need to know to carry out the killing.