A Umatilla County man already accused of multiple sex crimes was arrested Saturday on charges that he tried to arrange the murders of three victims set to testify against him.

Arthur Wayne Blood, 32, now faces additional charges of solicitation of aggravated murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and witness tampering.

Umatilla County District Attorney Dean Gushwa said the new charges will be pursued as a separate case from the existing child pornography and sex abuse charges, which Blood is set to go trial for this month. What effect the new arrest will have on that trial remains up to the judge and prosecutors, Gushwa said.

Gushwa said he plans to present the new charges to a grand jury this week. An arraignment could happen as early as Monday. The murder solicitation and conspiracy charges are Measure 11 crimes and could result in at least 70 months in prison for Blood, Gushwa said.

Gushwa emphasized he believed Blood’s victims aren’t in any danger.

The ongoing investigation was led by the Oregon State Police, with help from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Pendleton Police Department, Hermiston Police Department and Milton-Freewater Police Department.