ILLINOIS MURDER SUSPECT CAPTURED IN WALTON COUNTY

Posted on September 30, 2020

Photo of white male with black hair and short facial hair
White male in a navy blue shirt being cuffed by Walton County Sheriff
White male with bleached blond hair and navy blue shirt with his hands cuffed behind his back.

September 30, 2020

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A man wanted for murder out of Richland County, Illinois has been captured in DeFuniak Springs.

Several law enforcement agencies in Illinois have been searching for Rick A. Meador, 18, of Olney, Illinois following a shooting on September 6th.

Illinois State Police were called to assist Olney Police Department with a homicide investigation where a 19-year-old was found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to a local hospital. The victim later died from his injuries.

Three days later, Illinois authorities arrested Tara N. Haws, 33, of Olney, in connection with the murder.

A warrant for first-degree murder was issued by the office of Richland County State’s Attorney Charles Bradley Vaughn for Meader.

This week, the U.S. Marshals Florida /Caribbean Fugitive Task Force tracked Meader to Bass Haven Road in DeFuniak Springs.

Meader was located and placed under arrest by the Marshals assisted by Walton County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the Walton County Jail without incident.

Also located with Meader, was an endangered juvenile missing out of Illinois. She has been transported to the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

The U.S. Marshals Florida /Caribbean Fugitive Task Force Officers helping facilitate today’s arrest are from the following agencies Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Police Department, Panama City Beach Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.