Elwood woman arrested for allegedly plotting to kill five people

LEXINGTON, Neb. -- A central Nebraska woman is in custody for an alleged attempted murder plot.

Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested 39-year-old Valerie Miller of Elwood, NSP spokesperson Cody Thomas said Tuesday.

The investigation into the alleged murder plot began last week when the Gosper County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a citizen regarding suspicious comments made by a woman in Elwood. The Gosper County Sheriff’s Office notified the Nebraska State Patrol.

A Nebraska State Patrol investigator, working undercover, then contacted Miller. Following an online conversation, Miller agreed to meet the investigator in person.

Late Monday afternoon, the undercover investigator met with Miller at an agreed-upon location in Lexington. During the meeting, the investigator learned that Miller was seeking to have five specific people killed, Thomas said. Miller then reportedly attempted to hire the investigator to carry out the murders.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, Miller drove for approximately two miles, where troopers performed a felony traffic stop. Miller was taken into custody without incident. She has been lodged in Dawson County Jail for conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted first degree murder, and making terroristic threats.

The Nebraska State Patrol, FBI, CODE Task Force, and the Gosper County Sheriff’s Office were all involved in the investigation and arrest.