Man pleads innocent to harboring suspect in slaying
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008
BENTONVILLE — A Springdale man pleaded innocent Monday to harboring a suspect wanted in connection with the death of a Rogers woman.
Ramiro Ortiz, 27, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He entered the plea during arraignment before Circuit Judge David Clinger.
Ortiz was arrested July 18 when police apprehended Sergio Morales-Carrera, 22, in Fayetteville. Morales-Carrera was wanted in connection with the July 16 shooting death of Veronica Robles, 37.
Robles, 37, was shot in the head at 2606 Graham Drive in Rogers, and Morales-Carrera fled the scene, according to court documents.
Robles was married to Morales-Carrera’s cousin, and he had been living with the couple, according to court documents.
Morales-Carrera, who is charged with capital murder, has pleaded innocent.
Police found Morales-Carrera in the front passenger seat of a Ford Excursion parked at a residence under construction in a subdivision on Ika Street in Fayetteville.
Ortiz also was arrested at that location.
Ortiz’s brother Miguel Ortiz also was arrested for hindering apprehension or prosecution, but formal charges have not been filed against him.
Miguel Ortiz told Rogers police detective Russell Allen he had dropped off Morales-Carrera at 10 p.m. July 16 near his brother’s Springdale home.
A hearing in Ramiro Ortiz’s case is scheduled for Sept. 25.
Morales-Carrera is being held in the Benton County jail without bond, while the brothers remain in jail in lieu of $ 100, 000 bond each.
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