The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday, September 18, that Tavon Jamar Willis, 46, of Frederick, was arrested after a Frederick County grand jury returned an indictment in the 2003 killing of Joshua Wayne Crawford.
Crawford was found dead inside his Exeter Court apartment on July 2, 2003, which was his 21st birthday, the sheriff’s office said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that he died from asphyxia and sharp- and blunt-force injuries.
Sheriff’s investigators said the case had remained active for 23 years and that newly uncovered evidence led to Willis’ arrest. Authorities did not publicly describe the evidence or identify any additional suspects.
Willis was taken to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The charges listed by the sheriff’s office include first-degree murder, armed robbery, robbery, first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, false imprisonment and related conspiracy counts.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact the agency. The charges are allegations, and Willis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.