PHOENIX — A California man who’s been called a power broker in the sex trade was arrested Sunday on suspicion of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot, Phoenix police said.

Police booked David Elms, 37, [pictured left] on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to possess narcotic drugs for sale, conspiracy to commit misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers also confiscated his Rolex watch and a flash drive.

Police believe Elms, who runs a high-profile Web site called “The Erotic Review,” wanted to have one woman killed and a man seriously injured. He was trying to hire a hit man to do it, police said.

Police said they got the tip from a suspect in the Desert Divas prostitution case.

Elms founded “The Erotic Review.” The Web site, which is mentioned numerous times in the Desert Divas case, allows men to rate escorts on a scale of 1-10.

Disclaimers say prostitution is illegal, and any money exchanged is for “companionship,” but there is graphic detail about escorts’ performance, appearance and the services they offer.

Police will not reveal who Elms was allegedly targeting to protect the woman’s safety.

Records in a California copyright infringement suit accuse Elms of threatening a Jane Doe because she refused to have sex with him or allow her name to be published on his Web site.

Investigators said they are checking to see if there is any other connection between Elms and the Desert Divas case.

Police say Desert Divas, also known as Night Partners Entertainment, is a Phoenix-based high-class prostitution ring with ties to Philadelphia and Albuquerque, N.M. The Phoenix Police Department investigated the group for a year before serving nine search warrants Aug. 5.

Since then, 38 people have been arrested in connection with the Phoenix branch of the organization.