Investigators say Eggert asked inmates to kill witnesses

By Robert Cloud

District Attorney Veronica Isherwood filed additional felony charges against suspected arsonist Steven D. Eggert, 24, Waupaca County jail.

On Wednesday, June 1, Eggert was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide, solicitation of first-degree intentional homicide and making false statements regarding military service.

His cash bond has been increased from $250,000 to $1 million.

On May 24, Eggert was charged with arson, mutilating a corpse, straw purchasing a firearm, two counts of armed burglary, 10 counts of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of first-degree reckless endangerment.

Eggart was accused of starting a fire that burned down a home in the town of Helvetia on April 27.

State fire marshals and local firefighters found a charred body in the debris.

Witness told investigators that Eggert said he found the resident’s corpse in the house, believed the police would suspect him of killing the man, and allegedly burned down the house to mislead law enforcement.

While in jail, Eggert allegedly asked another inmate to kill witnesses for him.

Murder for hire

On May 27, an inmate told agents with the state Division of Criminal Investigation that Eggert asked him to kill witnesses in the arson case, according to the criminal complaint.

The inmate immediately said no and ended the conversation.

A second inmate said he and Eggert discussed a murder-for-hire scheme on multiple times.

Eggert allegedly offered to pay the second inmate a total of $60,000 in exchange for the murder of a witness in the arson case.

When speaking with investigators, the second inmate identified the target witness by first and last name, described his appearance, gave directions to his home and knew the bar where the witness played pool.

Eggert allegedly signed his name to a paper towel so that the inmate could copy the signature to a legal form to collect the money.

DCI investigators also spoke with a woman who was Eggert’s friend and a witness in his arson case.

She said Eggert called her multiple times asking for money.

After the witness told Eggert she could not afford to post his bond, he allegedly asked her to post bond for another inmate.

Throughout the investigation, DCI agents spoke with witnesses who said Eggert told them he had been with Special Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They told investigators they were afraid of retaliation because of Eggert’s military experience.

One witness said Eggert had threatened to kill him.