Woman arrested in plot to kill husband

Melissa Ann Gregory

A Marmaduke woman currently is being held at the Greene County jail following an investigation into whether she attempted to have her husband killed.

In a press release, the Marmaduke Police Department said they first received information Melissa Ann Gregory, 23, had solicited an individual to murder her estranged spouse, Jay Gregory, on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Marmaduke police chief Steve Franks contacted the Arkansas State Police to request their assistance in the investigation. On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Franks, along with ASP special agents Phil Carter and Scott Pillow, conducted an undercover operation and recorded conversations between Melissa Gregory and the unnamed individual whom she had solicited to murder her husband.

During the conversation, Gregory was recorded saying how and when she wanted her husband to be killed. She also provided a weapon to be used in the murder.

With the information gathered during the undercover investigation, Gregory was picked up by police for questioning. During an interview with police, she admitted to both soliciting the murder and providing a weapon to be used in the act.

Gregory was arrested and charged with one count of criminal attempt to commit capital murder. Criminal attempt to commit capital murder is a Class Y felony with a sentence of no less than 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

Bond has been set at $250,000. Gregory is due to appear Oct. 24 in Circuit Court at Paragould.