Springdale man pleads not guilty to aiding murder suspect
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008
BENTONVILLE — A Springdale man pleaded not guilty Monday to helping a murder suspect evade police.
Miguel Ortiz-Hinojo, 25, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a class B felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. He entered the plea during an arraignment before Circuit Judge David Clinger.
An omnibus hearing in the case is slated for 8: 30 a. m. Oct. 13.
Ortiz-Hinojo and his brother Ramiro Ortiz are accused of aiding Sergio Morales-Carrera, who was being sought by police for the July 16 murder of a Rogers woman.
Veronica Robles, 37, was shot several times at 2606 Graham Drive in Rogers. Morales-Carrera is accused of firing the shots, then fleeing the scene.
Robles was married to Morales-Carrera’s cousin. Morales-Carrera had been living with the couple, court documents state.
Morales-Carrera, who is charged with capital murder, previously pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Police found Morales-Carrera in the front passenger seat of a Ford Excursion parked in front of a residence under construction in a subdivision on Ika Street in Fayetteville, court documents state. Ramiro Ortiz was arrested at that location. He previously pleaded not guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution.
Ortiz-Hinojo told Rogers police detective Russell Allen that he had dropped off Morales-Carrera at 10 p. m. July 16 near his brother’s Springdale home, according to court documents.
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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