A Topeka man was charged Wednesday with lying to a federal marshal who was trying to locate fugitive Orlando J. Collins before Collins shot three law enforcement officers during a gunfight at the Country Club Motel in Topeka, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.
Quentin Kirk Lawton, 36, who is in federal custody, is charged with one count of making a false statement to a federal officer. The indictment alleges that on April 24 Lawton visited Collins in a room at the Country Club Motel at 3732 S.W. Topeka Boulevard. Lawton left the motel shortly before a standoff between Collins and federal agents. The indictment alleges that when marshals questioned Lawton about Collins’ whereabouts Lawton denied having been to the motel or seen Collins.
When members of a task force tried to take Collins into custody he shot two U.S. Marshals and an FBI agent. A fire ignited from inside Collins’ room during the gunfight and spread throughout the motel. After the fire, Collins’ body was found in the motel room.
If convicted, Lawton faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.