Robert W. Skelton, 21, of Sallisaw, the man accused in the September shooting death of 19-year-old Joshua D. Mefford is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. on Feb. 23, before Special Judge Matt Orendorff, according to court records.

The investigation began when a passerby traveling along South 4580 Road spotted a gray Jaguar SUV speeding away before discovering Mefford lying critically injured on the roadside. The driver immediately called 911, Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane said.

Mefford, who had been shot in the head, was flown to an Arkansas hospital, where he remained in critical condition until succumbing to his injuries on Sept. 26, 2025.

Deputies detained Skelton the following morning, booking him into the Sequoyah County Jail at 4:11 a.m. on an initial count of aggravated assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He was later formally charged with second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a controlled drug (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, threaten to perform an act of violence, and carrying a firearm unlawfully.

Detectives also processed a gray Jaguar SUV believed to have been seen fleeing the scene and continued searching for the handgun used in the shooting.

As the investigation progressed, authorities arrested two additional suspects. Jensyn Rhodes of Sallisaw and Cody Mc-Cormick of Keota were taken into custody and charged with accessory after the fact. Because both individuals are Native American — Rhodes is Cherokee, and Mc-Cormick is Choctaw — their cases will be handled through the Cherokee Nation.

According to investigators, both Rhodes and McCormick were present when Skelton allegedly shot Mefford and left him on the rural roadway.