Lake County Inmate, 69, Accused of Soliciting Murder-for-Hire from Jail

A Lake County inmate faces a charge of solicitation to commit first-degree murder after allegedly attempting to hire another inmate to kill a witness in his criminal case. David John Butka, 69, purportedly offered $5,000 upfront for the killing, according to a probable cause affidavit.

This incident raises serious concerns about the safety of witnesses in ongoing legal proceedings and the security within detention facilities. Residents may wonder about the measures in place to prevent such alleged plots from unfolding.

Investigators said Butka approached another inmate around September 7 or 8, asking him to kill a neighbor who was a witness in his case. Butka allegedly told the inmate he had about $1.3 million in the bank and would pay $5,000 upfront. He reportedly provided the intended victim’s first name, physical description, morning schedule, and details on how to find the person’s home.

The affidavit states Butka later completed a Lake County Sheriff’s Office property release, allowing his credit card to be given to the other inmate’s wife. Investigators said Butka authorized the inmate to put $5,000 on the card as a down payment. The inmate’s wife retrieved the card from the detention facility, and $300 was later transferred from Butka’s credit card into the inmate’s commissary account.

An inmate contacted detention staff about the alleged plot, prompting an investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit. An inmate provided detectives with a handwritten note containing Butka’s name, phone number, address, a description of the intended victim’s residence, and a statement referring to “$5,000 up front off the card.” The inmate Butka allegedly approached indicated he did not intend to commit the murder.

The intended victim told investigators Butka had previously harassed and stalked them, causing significant emotional distress. This background information highlights a pattern of alleged behavior leading up to the current charges.

Butka remains in custody facing the new charge. Further details regarding his court proceedings will likely emerge as the case progresses.