Florida student charged after offering $100,000 for someone to kill school staff member

HUDSON, Fla. -- Authorities say a Florida teen offered $100,000 for someone to kill a staff member at his high school.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco announced during a news conference Friday that deputies arrested 18-year-old Nicholas Godfrey and charged him with solicitation to attempt murder.

Investigators say Godfrey offered the money to another student to kill a Fivay High School staff member. Deputies say Godfrey made the request through Instagram, and authorities were able to trace to account to Godfrey's home.

The arresting deputy says Godfrey admitted to sending the messages but claimed he was joking.

Some of the messages said things such as, "I need a guy who could kill someone," and "We have a $100,000 for the victim's head."

Authorities have not named the intended target.

Godfrey was being held at the county jail.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.