U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Apprehend Austin Homicide Suspect Sought in Greenbelt Murder

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Wednesday afternoon arrested a man sought on a charge of murder that was obtained in a City of Austin Municipal Court by the Austin Police Department on Dec 12.

Melcolm Martin Lee, AKA, “Tanto”, 24, of Austin was a suspect wanted for a homicide that occurred in the spring of 2023 in the 1200 block of S. 6th Street in Austin, when the Travis County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip about a homicide that occurred at a transient camp located in the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt. 

On Nov. 29, the Austin Police Department conducted a field search with a K-9 cadaver dog search team and located human skeletal remains. The human remains were carefully recovered by members of the Austin Police Homicide Unit, Crime Scene Unit, and the Travis County Medical Examiner under direct supervision by the Texas State Anthropology Department. 

On Dec. 12, the Austin Police Department requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Lee, who was last known to be transient in the Austin community. 

Members of the task force initiated a fugitive investigation and approached Lee at a transient encampment located in the 3400 block of Parker Lane, where he attempted to flee from officers and was taken into custody with assistance provided by the Austin Police K-9 Unit.

Lee was transported and booked into the Travis County Jail where he will await further judicial proceedings.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

• Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
• Georgetown, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Department
• Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
• Texas Attorney General’s Office
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations