A Spokane gang member accused of helping a murder suspect now faces federal drug charges for 38 grams of crack cocaine found in a patrol car after his arrest.

A confidential informant arranged a drug buy with Christopher “Baby Boy” Route, 24, at a convenience store near East Illinois Avenue and North Perry Street on March 22 that led to his arrest, according to an affidavit by FBI Task Force Officer Jeff Barrington that was filed in U.S. District Court on Monday.

According to court documents, Route and other reputed gang members attended a birthday party at Casey's Restaurant and Lounge before taking a limousine to an after party at 5405 N. Crestline St.

Route, who was charged with assault in connection with a gang murder in 2005, told police he stayed at the party for only about 30 minutes and left when a fight broke out. 

 Route said he didn't know anything about the shooting, but detectives say he was present when Williams punched out a car window, then was shot to death, allegedly by Edward “TD” Thomas.

A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting in January was arrested on Sunday.

Christopher J. “Baby Boy” Route, 24, (left) is in jail on a probation hold and a felony charge of first-degree rendering criminal assistance after being booked into jail about noon.

He's accused of helping cover up the gang-related murder of John S. Williams on Jan. 17.

According to court documents, Route and other reputed gang members attended a birthday party at Casey's Restaurant and Lounge before taking a limousine to an after party at 5405 N. Crestline.

Route, who was charged with assault in connection with a gang murder in 2005, told police he stayed at the party for only about 30 minutes and left when a fight broke out. 

 Route said he didn't know anything about the shooting, but detectives say he was present when Williams punched out a car window, then was shot to death, allegedly by Edward “TD” Thomas (right).

Thomas then put the murder weapon, a Ruger mini 30, in a rental car driven by Eric “Smalls” Burton, according to court documents.

Burton's cousins, Cedric E. “Dirty” Burton and James C. Henderson, 33, on rendering criminal assistance charges. 

Thomas still is a fugitive wanted on first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charge. Wanted on rendering criminal assistance charges are Route's cousin (and Cedric Burton's brother), John E. Burton, 27 (no picture available); and Marc A. “Bookie” Carter (left).

Anyone with information on the three is asked to call 1-800-222-TIPS or submit tips online. Tipsters don't have to leave their name to collect a reward but should leave a code name or number.

Past coverage: June 3: Seven charged in January gang murder