LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff's Office has charged 69-year-old David Butka with one count of solicitation to commit murder following an alleged plot to have his neighbor killed. According to a probable cause affidavit released on Monday, September 21, Butka reportedly offered $5,000 upfront to a fellow inmate in exchange for the victim's life. The arrest comes just days before Butka was scheduled to be released from custody.
Allegations Detail Pre-Meditated Plot
Sergeant James Vachon, a public information officer for the Lake County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the allegations surfaced after an inmate reported Butka to jail supervisors on September 16. The affidavit states that between September 7 and 8, while both men were detained at the same facility, Butka approached the other prisoner and solicited him to kill his neighbor.
Authorities allege that Butka provided detailed information about the intended victim, including their first name, physical description, morning schedule, telephone number, and personal address. Police claim Butka also shared his credit card information with the inmate. The inmate allegedly passed this information to his wife, who deposited $300 into the prisoner's commissary account.
Origins in Civil Drone Dispute
The conflict originated from a civil dispute involving a drone on July 22 of this year. A witness told police that Butka flew a drone over their property, prompting the victim to record the incident. The affidavit alleges that Butka then aggressively threw a rock at the victim's vehicle, causing marks and dents, as this newspaper reported in Florida Assistant Principal Arrested After Alleged Domestic Assault Over TV Remo.
Following the July incident, Butka was taken into custody after pleading no contest to aggravated assault. He had been scheduled for release on September 17 when the murder-for-hire plot was uncovered by jail staff. The inmate took detailed notes of their conversation and provided a handwritten note containing details of the plot to law enforcement, as this newspaper reported in Florida Assistant Principal Arrested After Alleged Domestic Assault Over TV Remo.
Legal Proceedings and Denials
Butka has denied the allegations, claiming that the money discussed with the inmate was intended to help retain an attorney for his existing legal case. Authorities noted that Butka and the informant did not know each other prior to being incarcerated together, AP News reported.
Sergeant Vachon stated on September 18 that it is "still not real clear" why Butka felt the need to have a witness murdered, suggesting possible motives of anger or revenge. Butka's bond for the new charge has been set at $25,000. It remains unclear whether he currently has legal representation.
