Mohammed Mohamed, 47, is charged with solicitation to commit capital murder.
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In an exclusive interview from the Harris County jail, he told Eyewitness News he's innocent and he doesn't know why he's there.
Earlier this week, Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo held a news conference announcing the arrest.
Acevedo said Mohamed received code violation tickets for cars that were at his east side business.
Acevedo said in late May, a witness came forward saying Mohamed wanted to injure the officer writing tickets.
At first, Acevedo said Mohamed wanted to throw acid on the officer's face, but later decided to pay $2,000 to have him killed.
After receiving this tip, an undercover officer met with Mohamed at a park.
In court, officials said Mohamed paid a confidential informant $700 to get masks so he could hide his identity when meeting with a hitman to discuss killing the officer.
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Officers said Mohamed paid an undercover officer $500, and agreed to hand over $1,500 once the officer was killed.
HPD staged the officers death, and showed Mohamed photos.
After that, police said Mohamed paid $1,500.
SEE ALSO: Houston's most infamous murder-for-hire plots
Mohamed didn't deny he was in the park to Eyewitness News Saturday in jail, but said he was there with a friend, and not to pay a hitman money for killing an officer.
He said he received numerous tickets, but worked with an attorney to resolve the issue.
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Mohamed walked gingerly, spoke softly, and looked visibly shaken Saturday in jail.
He said he's scared to be behind bars.
A judge set his bond a $1 million.
Mohamed's next court date is in late August.
If convicted, he faces life behind bars.
RELATED: $1 million bond for business owner accused of hiring hitman to kill officer
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