NorthwestJune 14, 2015

Russell B. McCormack of Lapwai held on warrants; police sought to question him in farm worker's death

CHELSEA EMBREE of the Tribune

LAPWAI - Authorities have arrested a Lapwai man wanted for questioning in the death of an 18-year-old man earlier this week.

Russell B. McCormack, 51, was arrested Friday on warrants from Nez Perce County for probation violation and driving without privileges, according to a news release from the Nez Perce Tribal Police. He is being held at the Nez Perce County Jail.

Officials have wanted to interview McCormack as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Ambrose Smartlowit of Lapwai. Smartlowit's body was found early Tuesday in deep grass near Garden Gulch, in the area where he had been working Monday for Boyer Farms. McCormack is the work crew's foreman.

Preliminary results of the autopsy indicate Smartlowit died of heatstroke, according to the news release, but the full results have not yet been completed. There were no injuries to suggest foul play. Tribal Police Chief Dave Rogers said the full autopsy report will be available in about a week.

McCormack could face charges in connection with Smartlowit's death as early as Monday or Tuesday, Rogers said. He added McCormack could face both tribal and federal charges since the FBI is involved with the investigation of Smartlowit's death.

Smartlowit was under the supervision of McCormack when he was working Monday. The 18-year-old complained of feeling sick, was discharged and left the worksite without water on a day temperatures reached 100 degrees.

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Farm workers, deputies and tribal police began searching for Smartlowit when he failed to return home Monday night but were unable to locate him in the area, which has steep terrain and tall grass. The search resumed Tuesday, and Smartlowit's body was found around 8 a.m.

Rogers said the next step in the investigation will be to interview McCormack. Investigators are looking to determine if McCormack was familiar with the environment and circumstances and then knowingly sent Smartlowit away without any precautions, Rogers said. Investigators will then meet with prosecutors to determine if McCormack should face additional charges.

McCormack was arrested without incident by Nez Perce Tribal Police Friday after he was discovered hiding in a camper trailer in the backyard of a residence on Lolo Street in Lapwai. Rogers said he was located with the help of information from community members.

"It was very helpful," Rogers said.

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Embree may be contacted at cembree@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2278. Follow her on Twitter @chelseaembree .

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