Inmate who plotted to kill judge gets life, again

HOUSTON The U.S. Attorney's Office said Joel Lopez Sr., of Roma, had plotted with his wife to hire a man to kill U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa of McAllen and also to kidnap a woman who allegedly owed him money. Lopez offered a fellow inmate $2 million to kill Hinojosa upon his release, but the inmate instead went to authorities.

U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon sentenced Lopez on Friday. Harmon earlier sentenced Lopez's wife, Aracely Lopez-Gonzalez, to nine years in prison after she pleaded guilty to her role.

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