PHOENIX -- A man described as a power broker in the sex trade who skipped bond after his arrest in February on suspicion of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot has been caught in southern California, Phoenix police said.

David Elms, 37, was picked-up while trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. "It is believed Elms fled the United States and possibly went to Dubai, then tried to return to the U.S. through Mexico when the Border Patrol arrested him," Sgt. Andy Hill said Thursday.

In February, police booked Elms 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.

• Watch: 'Desert Divas' And Murder-For-Hire Plot Connected?

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.

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.