Sheriff: Teen couple plotted to kill girl’s family

PINEVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Bell County Sheriff says that two teens have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, after investigators discovered the two had plotted to murder the girl’s aunt and uncle.

According to the Sheriff, a complaint of threatening letters and texts came into Bell County dispatch just after 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Investigators discovered that 18-year-old Joseph Helton and his juvenile girlfriend had been sending the messages, some of them referring to causing serious physical injury or death on the girl’s relatives, so that the young couple could be together.

The Lieutenant on the case adds that Helton and his girlfriend had gone so far as to formulate a plan for Helton to come to the girl’s home on a pre-determined date, so that he could kill the victims and that they could run away together.  The Lieutenant also says the girl had sent Helton photos of the home’s entrances and exits.

Helton and his girlfriend were arrested at 12:05 a.m.  Both were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, according to investigators.

Helton was taken to the Bell County Detention Center, while his girlfriend was taken to an Adair County holding facility.