A Coon Rapids man was charged today with conspiracy to commit the first-degree murder of his wife.

Terrance Craig Dechaney, 45, had tried to hire an undercover law enforcement officer to kill his estranged wife, Lisa Marie Dechaney, 38, according to the charges filed in Anoka County District Court.

According to the court complaint, Dechaney met with the undercover detective at Povlitzki's Bar in Spring Lake Park on May 29. Dechaney talked to the officer about having to make "it" look like an accident by beating his estranged wife in the head. He also suggested a robbery scenario, or possibly setting up his estranged wife with illegal drugs so she could go to prison.

He told the officer his motivation was to get back at his wife and to make sure he got full custody of their children. He promised to make two payments of $5,000 each to the undercover officer.

Before the incident, a custody study had recommended that Lisa Dechaney receive full custody of their three young children.

Bail was set at $300,000. Dechaney was ordered not to have contact with his wife or children.

PAUL LEVY