Man arrested for rape now accused of murder-for-hire plot

Convicted sex offender Jerry Wood reportedly tried to have the woman killed.

Jerry G. Wood (King County Sheriff’s Office)

Jerry G. Wood (King County Sheriff’s Office)

EVERETT — A man behind bars in Snohomish County allegedly tried to orchestrate the killing of the woman who accused him of rape.

Jerry G. Wood, 41, didn’t want the woman to testify, according to new police records.

He’s been at the county jail for a year, awaiting a trial scheduled for March on charges of rape and kidnapping.

This past weekend, another inmate who was staying in the same part of the jail was getting ready for release. The man told investigators Wood had given him the woman’s address, along with instructions to inject her with a lethal amount of heroin.

Wood allegedly arranged for someone to pay the remaining $450 on the man’s bail, saying it was imperative the woman not make his upcoming court hearings.

“I know what murder for hire is. And this is it,” the man reportedly told detectives.

Wood is a sex offender with a 2006 rape conviction in New York. He finished his sentence in federal prison in December 2015, and was arrested in a prostitution case a month later in King County. Wood was on bail pending his King County trial when the Snohomish County woman said she was attacked.

The two had met at a bar in Shoreline. Wood reportedly offered her a ride home but then took her to a rural area outside of Arlington. The woman said he told her: “You’re mine now. I own you. I’ll find you wherever you go.”

The trial has been repeatedly delayed. In November, a psychologist determined Wood was competent to assist with his own defense. On Jan. 22, Wood wrote a letter to the judge, saying he’s worried that people expected to testify on his behalf might not be available if the case takes much longer.

That was before the new allegations came to light.

Sheriff’s detectives filed paperwork in court earlier this week, seeking additional charges of soliciting murder, kidnapping and intimidating a witness. The newspaper obtained a copy of the documents Wednesday.

The man who contacted detectives about the alleged plot is a 32-year-old felon. He was in the county jail until Saturday for investigation of stealing a car. He remains free on bail.

The man said Wood wrote the instructions for the killing on the pages of novels.

“This must be done and the person must disappear before the 5th homie,” one note reportedly read.

The messages detailed a payment of $3,000, along with promises of access to vehicles and places to stay, according to the police report. There also was language about extra daily pay if he kept the woman prisoner, and an invitation to bring the man in on a $300,000 “lick,” or robbery.

“I will keep putting you on money missions when I get out of here,” Wood allegedly wrote.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic moves around parts of the roundabout at the new I-5/SR529 interchange on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT delays opening of Marysville interchange, ramps

Supply chain issues caused the agency to push back opening date. The full interchange and off ramps are expected to open in October.

Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits

A public records request for Flock camera footage has raised questions about what data is exempt under state law.

A Link train passes over a parking lot south of the Lynnwood City Center Station on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Construction to close parking spots at Lynnwood Link station

Fifty-seven parking spots out of the nearly 1,700 on-site will be closed for about two months.

Provided photo 
Michael Olson during his interview with the Stanwood-Camano School District Board of Directors on Sept. 2.
Stanwood-Camano school board fills vacancy left by controversial member

Michael Olson hopes to help bring stability after Betsy Foster resigned in June.

Traffic moves along Bowdoin Way past Yost Park on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new online tool could aid in local planning to increase tree coverage

The map, created by Washington Department of Natural Resources and conservation nonprofit American Forests, illustrates tree canopy disparities across the state.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish PUD preps for more state home electrification funding

The district’s home electrification rebate program distributed over 14,000 appliances last year with Climate Commitment funds.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Everett in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
One person dead in single-vehicle crash on Wednesday in Everett

One man died in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning… Continue reading

Everett
Hazmat teams give all clear after investigation at Naval Station Everett

Snohomish County hazmat first responders responded to the scene Monday but could find no sign of hazardous materials.

PNW Forest Climate Alliance will host webinar on national forest management

The Wednesday evening webinar will cover the history of federal forest management and how proposed policy changes may affect the future of forests.

Firefighters responded to a residential fire on Sunday, Sep. 14, 2025, that resulted in one man dead and another injured in Everett. (South County Fire)
One dead and another injured in an Everett house fire on Sunday

Firefighters experienced small explosions believed to be from ammunition cooking off in the fire.

Firefighters responded to reports of a mobile home fire that spread to CONEX box and a pickup truck on Sunday, Sep. 14, 2025, in Monroe. The fire destroyed the contents of a nearby CONEX box. (Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Fire engulfs mobile home, pickup truck and storage container near Monroe

Firefighters said the mobile home was unoccupied at the time of Sunday’s fire.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood Crisis Care Center finds provider

Sea Mar Community Health Centers will operate the facility, set to open in 2026. Last year, a provider withdrew due to statewide funding challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.