DeKalb police say Kingston man Nicholas Krengiel paid an associate to plant drugs and a gun in Krengiel’s estranged wife’s car.

Krengiel, who is “in the middle of a contentious divorce,” paid the man to buy the gun and about 4 grams of crack cocaine, then gave the man instructions on how to plant the evidence in his estranged wife’s car, police say. Krengiel gave his associate keys to the car and directions to the home, police say.

The gun and drugs were found by DeKalb police Aug. 14 after they received a call from a person who had detailed information about suspected drug activity. The car owner told police she thought Krengiel had planted the evidence to discredit her during their divorce proceedings, police said.

Several agencies investigated and police observed Krengiel and his associate meeting Oct. 1. Krengiel was stopped and arrested. His bond has been set at $250,000.

Krengiel, 35, faces charges of calculated criminal drug conspiracy (Class X felony), two counts of armed violence (Class X felony), unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (Class 1 felony) and obstructing justice (Class 4 felony).