Troy man accused of plotting murders of family members

TROY — A 48-year-old Troy man has been charged with five counts of solicitation to commit murder after allegedly planning the deaths of five of his own family members.

The suspect, identified as Max Garza, was arrested July 3. According to the Troy police, on July 1, a witness went to the Troy Police Department and provided information to officers regarding Garza making plans to hire someone to kill family members. The witness also claimed that Garza was seeking a firearm in order to kill the family members himself if he was unable to secure someone else to do it.

Troy police said that Garza had hoped to gain a larger inheritance from the estate and was also “generally upset” with those members of his family.

“On July 3, Troy investigators interviewed Garza at the police department and he was taken into custody,” the Troy police said in a press release. “The information that we received from the witness proved credible and officers felt if Garza was not immediately arrested his family was in danger. … The reporting witness had recorded conversations with Garza discussing his plans to solicit or commit murder. These plans included how he would fund the cost, how he would construct his alibi, and his alternative plan if he was unable to hire someone. These recordings were turned over to our investigators who began working to verify the reported information.”

Garza was arraigned at the 52-4 District Court July 7 and had bond set at $1 million cash or surety. His next court date is a probable cause conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. July 18.

Garza’s attorney, Mitchell Ribitwer, did not wish to comment on the matter at this time.