Gresham murder suspect brought back to Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A murder suspect is back in Oregon after waiving his right to an extradition hearing. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged with hindering prosecution in connection to the Gresham homicide investigation last month.

Rony A. Celis, one of four suspects in the homicide case, remains in custody in the Multnomah County Inverness Jail. He was transported on Monday from Cowlitz County.

On Feb. 5, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office arrested Celis after a high speed pursuit. According to police, Celis, along with Charles Moimoi and Clayton Harrell, fled the scene of a homicide in Gresham in a gold-colored Cadillac Deville. A Portland Police Sergeant saw the vehicle and officers chased the car into Washington. The chase reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

Investigators found two pistols inside the vehicle, according to court documents. Both of the handguns were between the passenger side front seat and the center console where the seat belt latches. Moimoi was seated in the front passenger seat.

The investigation started when Gresham Police responded to reports of a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they found the body of Ravell Sterling. He died on scene.

According to court documents, Moimoi told police he intended to rob Sterling, “which did not go as planned.” Moimoi told detectives when Sterling entered the car he realized a robbery was about to occur and tried to leave. Moimoi confessed that he shot Sterling using a .45 caliber pistol.

Celis and Harrell are each charged with one count of murder. Moimoi is charged with one count of aggravated murder.

A fourth suspect, Austin Kumar Agnish, was arrested in King County in mid-February and charged with one count of hindering prosecution. According to court documents, Agnish either concealed, altered, or destroyed a firearm used in the alleged murder.

Agnish is fighting extradition from King County. He will be in court later this month in Seattle. He remains out of custody.

Moimoi and Harrell remain in custody in Cowlitz County.