Arizona fugitive’s accomplice faces drug charges

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say the accomplice to an Arizona fugitive was acting as a drug mule for white supremacists before she helped him escape from prison.

Mohave County sheriff’s spokeswoman Trish Carter said Friday that officials at the state prison in Kingman were randomly checking vehicles in the parking lot in June when they discovered marijuana and heroin in Casslyn Mae Welch’s vehicle.

Welch was visiting her fiance and cousin, John McCluskey, at the time.

Welch wasn’t immediately arrested while deputies investigated further. But she’s now charged with six narcotics violations after being tied to the escape of McCluskey and two other inmates on July 31.

Authorities say Welch threw wire cutters over a prison fence to help the men get out. She and McCluskey are still on the run.