Montauk man headed to S.C. to face charges in Navy sailor's slaying

A Montauk man suspected of taking part in the murder of a Navy sailor lost his bid Monday to avoid extradition to the state where the sailor's body was found in shallow water 18 years ago.

Thomas Solheim, 53, is expected to be picked up by South Carolina authorities within 10 days to face charges in the death of James Alan Horton, 22, of upstate Sherburne, prosecutors said.

Suffolk County Judge Martin Efman Monday denied Solheim's request for a hearing in which his attorney would have challenged Solheim's extradition.

Efman said warrants for his extradition had been signed by Gov. David A. Paterson and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and there was no question that Solheim was wanted in connection with Horton's death.

Solheim's Legal Aid attorney, Kathleen Gearrity, and Assistant District Attorney Grace DiVincenzo declined to comment.

The Suffolk Fugitive Squad was notified shortly after the hearing that South Carolina authorities should be contacted to arrange for Solheim to be picked up, said Robert Clifford, a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Horton's body was found Nov. 14, 1992, in a water-filled ditch near the former Charleston Naval Base in South Carolina. He had been sexually assaulted, struck on the head by a blunt object and shot in the chest, authorities have said.

Solheim and two other people were charged last month in Horton's death.