Corrections officer charged in murder-for-hire plot

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A Michigan corrections officer is facing life in prison following accusations he attempted to hire a hit man.

Thirty-seven-year-old Jason Lee Bufford was charged Monday with solicitation of murder. He has been placed on unpaid leave from the Newberry Correctional Facility.

Chris Gautz, a state Department of Corrections spokesman, says a two-month investigation began after Bufford's intentions were brought to their attention by a prison inspector at the medium-security facility.

The Michigan State Police hasn't released much information about the allegations, but they say the murder-for-hire plot didn't involve an inmate.

Bufford is being held at the Luce County Jail on $500,000 bond. It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney yet.