Irvin Murder Plot Alleged -- Dallas Policeman Charged With Trying To Arrange For Cowboy Receiver To Be Killed

DALLAS - A Dallas police officer subpoenaed as a witness in Michael Irvin's drug possession trial has been charged with attempting to have the Dallas Cowboys' star receiver killed, authorities announced.

Officer Johnnie Hernandez, 28, was arrested yesterday, one day after paying several thousand dollars to an undercover federal officer posing as a hit man, Police Chief Ben Click said.

One law enforcement source said Hernandez believed that Irvin had repeatedly threatened the officer's girlfriend with violence if she testified at his drug trial and wanted to stop the threats.

The officer's girlfriend, Rachelle Marie Smith, is a topless dancer who has worked with Angela Beck, one of two women indicted with Irvin on drug charges.

"The officer wanted the hit to occur very, very soon," Click said. "We made the arrest during the day and at that time felt we needed to make the arrest to make sure nobody got hurt. It was clear that he wanted Michael Irvin killed."

Click did not provide many specifics about the bizarre plot, citing a gag order in the drug case. "I cannot talk about motive at this point," he said.

Hernandez was being held on charges of solicitation of capital murder and bribery. Details of the bribery charge were not available.

The law enforcement source, who insisted on anonymity, also said the district attorney's office is investigating whether Irvin tampered with witnesses.

Norm Kinne, Dallas County first assistant district attorney, would not confirm that Irvin is under investigation on suspicion of witness tampering.

"I don't want to violate the court's gag order," he said.

Hernandez, a five-year veteran, resigned from the department after his arrest.

As he drove up to the Cowboys' Valley Ranch practice facility yesterday afternoon, Irvin said, "I don't have anything to say. I'm just going for a workout."

Because Hernandez is listed as a witness in Irvin's drug case, law enforcement authorities revealed little about his alleged attempt to hire a hit man.

Police learned early this week that Hernandez had expressed a desire to have Irvin killed, Click said.

The investigation involved agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, one of whom was assigned to pose as a hit man willing to take money for the killing.

The DEA agent met with Hernandez on Wednesday and negotiated a price, Click said. The officer then paid "a large sum of cash" as a partial payment.

Irvin and two topless dancers - Beck and Jasmine Nabwangu - were charged with drug possession after they were found with cocaine and marijuana in a motel room March 4. Smith, Hernandez's girlfriend, is scheduled to testify about Irvin's lifestyle of drugs, women and parties but not the March 4 incident, which she did not attend, the law enforcement source said.

State District Judge Manny Alvarez said he learned of the arrest while presiding over jury selection at Irvin's drug possession trial. He stopped the proceedings to inform Irvin, his lawyers and prosecutors.

Alvarez said he did not know of any connection between the alleged murder-for-hire plot and the drug charges against Irvin. He did say that people involved in the Hernandez case were potential witnesses in Irvin's trial, so his gag order restricting comment by parties in Irvin's trial also would prevent them from talking about the charges against Hernandez.