Man charged in alleged plot to kill deputies

Published 10:49 pm Wednesday, April 14, 2010

EVERETT — An Everett transient was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to commit first-degree assault in what police believe was a plot to kill Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies.

Deputies arrested Michael McConnachie, 19, Sunday at a south Everett motel where they found guns, ammunition and bulletproof vests.

A pistol stolen from the home of a Lake Stevens police officer was among the weapons recovered, officials said Wednesday.

McConnachie reportedly wanted to pull off a killing rampage similar to the Thanksgiving weekend assassination of four Lakewood police officers, police said.

He was charged in Everett District Court and remains behind bars on $350,000 bail.

McConnachie denied he was planning to hurt anyone.

Detectives believe McConnachie’s threats went beyond bragging and are taking their investigation very seriously, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.

The investigation into the pistol stolen from the officer is ongoing, she said.

Lake Stevens Police Chief Randy Celori said the officer involved, 52, is a veteran of the force and an avid weapons collector.

The officer’s home was burglarized in August and again sometime in the fall, Celori said. The officer reported the break-ins and thefts to Snohomish County deputies. The officer lives in unincorporated Snohomish County.

Lake Stevens police officials will wait until deputies complete their investigation to determine if an internal investigation into the officer’s private weapons collection is necessary, Celori said.

Prosecutors now have until April 30 to file charges against McConnachie in Superior Court.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.