Deputies seek fugitive who fled traffic stop

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help as it seeks to apprehend a Spokane Valley man they say fled from a July 5 traffic stop in Post Falls.

Deputies believe Willis Mouton IV, 31, was the driver of the passenger car a deputy stopped after observing it speeding around 11 p.m. on Riverbend Avenue near McGuire Road.

The driver turned onto Corbin Road, stopped the car and fled on foot, eastbound on the Centennial Trail.

A perimeter was set up but the driver wasn’t located. The passenger in the car identified the driver as Mouton, her boyfriend. According to the sheriff’s office, she said he fled because he hasn’t been checking in with his probation officer and feared he had a warrant for his arrest.

Deputies on scene confirmed Mouton was currently wanted on a felony nationwide extraditable warrant for a charge of escape from community custody. While impounding the car Mouton allegedly fled from, deputies located a small amount of heroin, and drug paraphernalia commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. They also located a hollowed-out Bible that contained approximately 29 grams of cocaine and a handgun that turned out to be a BB gun.

The female was released from the scene without charges.

Anyone with information about Mouton’s whereabouts, is asked to contact the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 446-1300. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting www.kcsheriff.com/anonymous-tip.htm