Muldrow man caught harboring fugitive

A Muldrow man is charged with a felony count of harboring a fugitive from justice after his passenger was found to have a felony warrant out of Sequoyah County.

Mathew Hill, 27, was charged July 11 in Sequoyah County District Court and received a $3,000 bond. He is now set for an August 10 arraignment before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters.

Sequoyah County Sheriff‚s deputy Jason Stone reported on the morning of June 25 he was observing traffic at the intersection of Highway 64 and Highway 64B when he noticed a Nissan Rogue fail to use a signal and go through a red light.

Stone initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Hill, who was able to provide insurance verification but no driver‚s license. He was asked to step back to the deputy‚s vehicle to talk further about he and his passenger‚s travel plans.

Hill identified his passenger as Tim Shilling and said they were going to get gas at another store because it was cheaper there. When the deputy questioned him more about Shilling, he reportedly became nervous and refused to make eye contact with Stone.

Riley Brooks with the Muldrow Police Department arrived and identified Shilling, stating he had warrants in Sequoyah County and Shilling was placed under arrest, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Stone asked Hill why he allegedly lied to him about Shilling and he claimed he “didn‚t know.” Hill was then placed under arrest for harboring a fugitive.

After dispatch confirmed Shilling had a valid felony warrant out of Sequoyah County, both men were taken to the Sequoyah County Jail.

District Attorney Jack Thorp said if found guilty of the crime, it is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine.