CLEBURNE (AP) – A North Texas sheriff faked being a hit man to negotiate with a jail inmate now charged with trying to have his estranged wife and her male friend killed.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says nobody was hurt and 52-year-old Tab Johnson was being held Thursday on two counts of solicitation of capital murder.

Johnson originally was arrested on charges of violating a protective order and stalking his spouse, who filed for divorce last year. Johnson allegedly asked other inmates about carrying out some killings.

Lt. Tim Jones said Wednesday that Sheriff Bob Alford portrayed a hit man in conversations and relayed instructions from Johnson.

Bond totals $1.1 million for Johnson. Officials didn’t immediately provide details on an attorney for Johnson or more information on his contact with the sheriff.

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