Fingerprint Check Lands Canadian Resident In Jail For 1983 Poteau Murder

NewsOn6.com

BELLINGHAM, Washington -- A man who's a suspect in a 1983 murder in LeFlore County in Oklahoma was arrested at the U.S. border Friday, June 24, 2011.

Suhail M. Shanti of Burnaby, British Columbia was arrested after applying for the "trusted traveler" program through the U.S. Immigration Service.  The application requires submitting fingerprints, which turned up his name on a murder warrant.   

Shanti was booked into the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office jail following his arrest by U.S. custom agents. 

A records check with LeFlore County shows Shanti was charged with first degree murder in December 1983 and a warrant for his arrest was issued in April 1984. 

LeFlore County authorities say the murder happened in Poteau. 

Both Shanti and the victim were international students at Carl Albert State College at the time. 

Shanti is awaiting extradition back to Oklahoma.  He is being held without bond.