Two men were arrested Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after Humboldt County District Attorney investigators conducted an undercover sting operation, a news release said.

The men, Fortuna residents Dennis Eugene Larsen, 63, and Ray Lone-Wold Potvin, 29, were arrested after investigators served search warrants at residences on Rohnerville Road in Fortuna and Port Kenyon Road in Ferndale at 8:30 a.m. Both men reside at the Rohnerville Road residence.

The investigation came from information that Dennis Larsen’s son, 28-year-old Chad Larsen, was soliciting the murder of the alleged victim of the sexual assault which has him incarcerated in the Humboldt County jail.

“DA investigators conducted an undercover sting operation in which, arrest warrant affidavits allege, they received a $500 down payment for the killing and shovels with which to bury the intended victim,” a news release said.

The victim was notified of the suspects’ alleged plan and was taken outside the county, after which investigators started working on the case, DA Chief Investigator Mike Hislop said.

“The elder Larsen and Potvin have joined the sexual assault suspect in the county jail, and formal charges against the trio may be filed today or tomorrow, a news release said.

DA investigators have taken additional steps to ensure the safety of the alleged victim and the investigation is continuing.