State and federal authorities arrested a California man Thursday on suspicion of trying to orchestrate a "hit" on the 19-year-old Eagle woman who has accused Kobe Bryant of sexual assault.

Patrick Graber, 31, of El Segundo, offered to kill the woman on Bryant's behalf in exchange for $3 million, according to officials at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"We believe it was a credible threat," sheriff's Lt. Jim Taylor said Thursday in Los Angeles.

The murder solicitation was reported by Bryant's security team, which initially was contacted by letter from a man who used the name "Yuri" and offered to "make the problem go away," according to his Denver-based defense attorney, Pamela Mackey.

"We cooperated fully with authorities," Mackey told The Denver Post. "We'd like to win this (sexual-assault) case in court, thank you very much."

Allegations of threats against witnesses are not unusual in high-profile criminal cases such as this, according to Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert.

"Safety is always a concern with all victims," she said.

Denver attorney Hal Haddon, who also represents Bryant, said the latest "side show" to his client's case is distressing and cause for great concern.

"This atmosphere threatens not just Mr. Bryant, his lawyers and the accuser, but the fundamental right to a fair trial before an impartial jury."

Graber becomes the second person accused of trying to tamper with the victim, joining a 22-year-old University of Iowa student who faces federal charges on suspicion of making threatening phone calls to her home.