U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas
Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2008

Shana Jones, Special Assistant Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer
(210) 384-7440

ARMY SOLDIER’S WIFE PLEADS GUILTY TO ROLE IN MURDER PLOT AT FORT HOOD

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in Waco, 22-year-old Chantell Watson, of Killeen, Texas, faces up to life in federal prison after pleaded guilty late yesterday afternoon to conspiracy to commit murder.

By pleading guilty, Watson admitted that from July 26, 2008 until August 29, 2008, she conspired with others to intentionally kill Kailey Foster, the wife of co-defendant William Henry Foster, in exchange for money.

According to the court records, William Foster and Chantell Watson’s husband, Adam R. Watson, were active duty members of the U.S. Army serving in Iraq. Believing that his wife was having affairs with other men while he was overseas, William Foster solicited the Watsons to kill his wife in exchange for $75,000.

Federal authorities arrested the Watsons on August 28, 2008. Subsequently, Foster was arrested by U.S. Army officials in Iraq. All three defendants are currently being held in federal custody without bond. William Foster and Adam Watson remain under federal grand jury indictment charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Upon conviction, each faces up to life in federal prison. No trial date has been scheduled.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Frazier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Neil Stephenson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.