Two men who allegedly tried to use rattlesnakes as deadly weapons to collect on a debt have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, authorities told the Associated Press this week. Herbert Paul Beck, 56, and Christopher Lee Steelman, 34, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and extortion. Bail for each suspect was set at $500,000.
The Lakewood men were trying to kill Matthew Sowash, owner of Amateur Poker Tour in Wheat Ridge, because he owed them $60,000, according to Jim Shires of the Jefferson County Sheriff's office. Arrest affidavits say Sowash's company stages Texas Hold'em-style poker games in Denver area bars.
Investigators said Steelman told them the two men discussed ways to kill Sowash and Beck suggested rattlesnakes. Beck allegedly told investigators he invested $36,000 in the company last December, and with interest was due $60,000.
The plan was to build a wooden box to hold the snakes and the lid was to be built to allow Sowash's legs to be put inside but not pulled out. According to the arrest affidavits, Beck also planned to kidnap Sowash's children and use them as leverage to get the money from Sowash." Sowash contacted the Colorado Bureau of Investigation after getting threatening e-mails.
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