Hilo authorities have charged a man with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening in an alleged plot to kill two police officers and their families.

Francis O. Carter, 37, also known as "Adobo," was arrested and charged yesterday, police said.

Criminal Investigations Section detectives arrested Carter in the parking lot of his Wainaku apartment complex for threats he allegedly made to harm the officers.

The officers who were threatened, assigned to the department's Ice Task Force, allegedly were targeted because of their success in taking methamphetamine dealers off the streets, Lt. Randall Medeiros said

Carter had recently been released from the Hawai'i Community Correctional Center after posting a $100,000 bond. He had been jailed in relation to offenses investigated by the task force.

Last night, Carter was being held at the police cellblock in lieu of $200,000 bail on the new charges until his initial court appearance.

Early intervention by detectives stopped the alleged plot, so attempted-murder charges have-n't been sought, Medeiros said. But police were considering charges of conspiracy to commit murder, he said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Detective Gregory Esteban of the Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.