KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The arrest of 49-year-old Leo Mays in Bentonville, Arkansas came as a big shock to Mays’ family in Kansas City, Kansas.
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard about this one. Yes, it’s kind of shocking, ” said the suspect’s mother, Loice Mays.
Investigators say Leo Mays was in Bentonville to answer to a previous drug-related charge. Reportedly, deputies arrested Mays back in December after they intercepted him while he was on his way to a methamphetamine deal near an Arkansas middle school with another man.
Late Wednesday night, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that May threatened the life of an Arkansas resident.
“We took it very seriously, played out the tip, ” said Deputy Keisha Guyll, who’s with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say Mays arranged a meeting with someone he thought was a hit man, and was willing to pay $5,000 to have a Northwest Arkansas resident killed.
As it turned out, the hit man was an undercover detective, who stayed with Mays until he tried to contact the potential victim, but that’s when sheriff’s deputies arrested the KCK man.
Mays is facing a charge of conspiracy to commit capital murder. On Friday, he’s due in court for a bond hearing. Mays is scheduled to be arraigned on March 3rd in a Benton County courtroom. Right now, he remains in the Benton County, Arkansas jail.
“It’s a big shock to me as well. I didn’t know about any of this murder-for-hire stuff. I only knew about the drug charge. I thought after he was in court Tuesday that he was on his way back to KCK,” said the suspect’s brother, Anthony Mays.
Mays’ mother said she’s worked to reform, but is now just angry.
“I have tried to talk to him and tell him to stay out of trouble, but he won’t listen. If I could get my hands on him, I will be willing to let damage be done because I’d beat the heck out of him, ” said Mays’ disappointed and frustrated mother.