EAST ST. LOUIS – A former barge worker has admitted his role in a foiled plot to abduct, extort and electrocute a wealthy man in a scheme investigators say borrowed elements from a TV show and sought to blame the killing on the intended victim’s cat.

Brett Nash, 46, of Pontoon Beach pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a felony count of solicitation of a violent crime. Four other counts, including two murder-for-hire charges, are to be dropped. Nash faces up to 20 years in prison and as much as a $125,000 fine when sentenced March 22.

Nash was arrested in January, after federal investigators say a conscientious paroled killer helped thwart the alleged plot against a former corporate attorney who long had pursued a sexual relationship with Nash’s wife. The intended victim was not identified in court papers.