Four people are facing a number of charges including conspiracy to commit murder after RCMP in Didsbury uncovered an alleged murder plot while looking into a pair of assaults in the community last week

Police say the investigation started after a man was hit in the head from behind while walking in the area on March 14th. Investigators determined that the man was not the intended target and that the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

On March 16th, another person was knocked unconscious while outside a local business and police believe both assaults were committed by the same person.

RCMP say there was an alleged plot to kill the intended victim and that it involved a child custody dispute.

“RCMP from Didsbury as well as the RCMP’s General Investigation Section began to really dig into it and identified four individuals who had developed a plot to kill that second victim,” said RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters.

A search warrant was executed on a home in Mountain View County a few days later and police seized a firearm, stolen property and drugs.

Joseph Jerry Aubut, 31, is facing 14 criminal offences including; conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, assault, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, various weapons offences, and several fail to comply with condition offences. 

Donna Marie Faulkner is charged with 11 criminal offences including; conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, assault, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, various weapons offences, and fail to comply with condition offences

Jesse James Hoffman, 27, is charged with 11 criminal offences including; conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, various weapons offences, and fail to comply with condition offences. 

Cody Jay Graham, 22, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder. 

“Through the course of the investigation it was revealed that the plot was developed due to an ongoing custody dispute between one of the individuals charged and the intended victim. We believe that was the underlying factor that led to them taking action against him,” said Peters.

All four people have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in Didsbury Provincial Court on April 9th.