KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas – Authorities investigating the district attorney murder plot in Kaufman County are questioning a former Justice of the Peace as a person of interest, sources told Dallas NBC affiliate KXAS.
Eric Williams, 46, has been charged with making a terroristic threat.
Williams was arrested Saturday after investigators searched his Kaufman home. The search was part of the investigation into the murders of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia.
A sign posted on the front door of Williams' homes said to call his lawyer for a comment on the case.
According to jail records, Kaufman County sheriff deputies arrested Williams early Saturday morning.
Williams has been sentenced to a two-year probation for stealing from the county. A case prosecuted by McLelland and Assistant District Attorney Marke Hasse, who was fatally shot while leaving work in Kaufman.
Authorities haven't named Williams as a suspect in the deaths.
In an exclusive interview with Local 2 days after McLelland's murder, Williams said he would cooperate with law enforcement.
"They did a gun residue test. I gave them my cell phone so they could get all the info they wanted," said Williams. "They gave them back on Sunday and I have not heard from them since Sunday."
Federal and local authorities searched Williams' home early Friday. What they were looking for is unclear.
Barbara Underwood lives nearby. She said she's concerned by the recent events.
"When Mark Hasse was killed, it was a block and a half from the police station," said Underwood. "The Kaufman city needs to put up more security."
Williams is being held in jail on a $3 million bond.