3rd suspect ID’d in Dec. 2015 Kyle Polk killing

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man pending federal trial in November for drug and weapons charges is now the third person connected to the December 2015 killing of Kyle Polk.

Ronald Clayton Rhodes, 31, faces federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute heroin, charges that stemmed from an incident in May unrelated to Polk’s death.

Investigators in the Polk case haven’t stated what they believe the motive was for his killing.

But they said that immediately after the shooting, a woman named Cynthia Anne Scholer provided Rhodes with money, transportation and a place to stay.

She is accused of destroying or concealing evidence and hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence in the Polk homicide.

Along with Rhodes and Scholer, a grand jury earlier indicted Javier Fernando Hernandez.

Hernandez and Rhodes face similar charges: one count each of murder, attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Additionally, Rhodes also faces being a felon in possession of a firearm. He’s being held by the US Marshals at the Multnomah County Jail.

Records show Rhodes has been convicted of first-degree robbery in Oregon and unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and residential burglary in Washington.

Rhodes’ federal trial had been scheduled to start Aug. 29 but it was set over until November.

Rhodes was arraigned on the secret grand jury indictment charging him with Polk’s Dec. 2015 homicide on September 6. His trial for the murder case is scheduled for October, but will likely get delayed.