MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A $5,000 reward has been offered to find a fugitive teenager charged in the killing of John Materna, known in the community as the “Watermelon Man.”
Demarion Tackett, now 16 and charged as an adult, didn’t show up for a court hearing Monday. He has been a fugitive from justice since then.
“This is an example of what happens when bonds are set too low,” District Attorney Steve Mulroy said. “It doesn’t get more serious than this.”
Crime Stoppers says an anonymous donor stepped in to provide $5,000 for information on Tackett’s escape.
U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller said agents have been in touch with Tackett’s mother and grandmother.
“We will find him. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” Miller said.
Last week, Tacket was out of jail on a $100,000 bond when he failed to show up for the later court date.
He has been indicted on charges of aggravated robbery, carjacking, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Tackett is also charged with first-degree murder. However, that case has not been brought to the grand jury yet due to some of the paperwork still being incomplete.
John Materna was 76 when he was shot during a robbery while selling watermelons at the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue in Highland Heights last year. He died two weeks later.
Anyone with information on Demarion Tackett should call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
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