Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: Silver Springs murder suspect now a fugitive from justice
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to locate Santiago “Sonny” Fernandez, 45, of Silver Springs now wanted in an October 13, 2016 murder who may have staged his disappearance to avoid facing criminal charges.
On July 17, 2017 the Third District Court issued an arrest warrant for Fernandez after he did not appear for his arraignment in the shooting death of Robert Buchanan III. Fernandez was out of custody on $500,000 bond.
Only July 12, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office issued an initial news release asking for assistance in locating Fernandez. The Sheriff’s Office has done additional investigation and processed a reported crime scene that appears to have been staged.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office believes this scene and his disappearance and failure to appear in court is an attempt by Fernandez to avoid the criminal proceedings in the Third District Court.
Fernandez has family ties to many Northern Nevada communities. In addition he was born in Mexico and may have fled the United States to avoid prosecution.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Department of Homeland Security in an attempt to locate him if he is out of the country.
Fernandez is Hispanic, five feet 9 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has an anchor tattoo on his right forearm.
“Sonny” Fernandez is currently a fugitive from justice and should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the LCSO detective division, Case No. 17LY02525 at (775) 577-5206. Person can also contact Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or secretwitness.com.