Idaho man arraigned on murder solicitation charges

Alvaro Luna-Paredes

Alvaro Luna-Paredes, 24, faces charges of solicitation to commit aggravated murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. All the charges are Class A felonies and carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and $375,000 fines.

Union County Circuit Judge Phillip Mendiguren ordered Luna-Paredes held on $500,000 bail and at the request of Union County District Attorney Tim Thompson disallowed release on 10 percent of the amount.

Luna-Paredes asked that an attorney be appointed for him. After that is done, a decision  will be made regarding a preliminary hearing.

Thompson told The Observer today that the charges against Luna-Paredes stem from an investigation conducted by the Union County Drug Task Force, the La Grande Police Department and the Union County Sheriff’s office.

The district attorney alleges that Luna-Paredes agreed to pay Christopher Robling, also of Idaho, to murder Ryder. The alleged actions took place on or about Aug. 24, Thompson said.

Thompson would not say whether there had been an actual physical attempt on Ryder’s life. He said that a charge of attempted murder can be made if a “substantial step” is taken toward the crime.

Thompson said Robling is currently in jail in Walla Walla on unrelated charges. He said that Robling provided Union County investigators with information about the alleged murder-for-hire plot.

Thompson said he doesn’t yet know if Robling will be charged in the case.