(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- A man's been charged in a 2011 Cedar Rapids murder. Dexter Meeks was 22-years old when he was shot and killed while sitting on his porch, June 26th, 2011. The case went cold until a year ago, when a California prison inmate confessed. Mykel Roberts has since been extradited to Linn County, and is charged with Murder, Attempted Murder and Going Armed with Intent. Bond is set at $3,000,000.
Police say just before 3 a.m. on June 26th, 2011, Dexter Meeks was sitting on the porch of his apartment building at 211 15thStreet SE with his brother, Andrew Meeks. Dexter and Andrew Meeks had just walked home from the Tycoon Bar in downtown Cedar Rapids. Andrew Meeks told investigators someone walked out of an alley next to their apartment building and started shooting, Andrew Meeks was able to get inside, but Dexter Meeks had been shot in the head and died a short time later.
Police say neighbors reported hearing gunshots, but no one reporting actually witnessing the incident. Investigators also questioned several people but were unable to identify a specific suspect, and the case went cold.
In March 2020, the Police Department’s Cold Case Unit was contacted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department in Modesto, California. Mykel Roberts, then 29, had confessed.
Police reviewed the cold case and information provided by Roberts, went to California to interview Roberts and obtained a complete, detailed confession.
The Linn County Attorney’s Office has since filed a three count complaint charging Roberts with Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder and Going Armed with Intent.
Police Chief Wayne Jerman said, “The Police Department is committed to following all leads and seeking resolution to all homicide cases. Our investigators are dedicated to bringing those responsible for taking the life of another human being to justice. While an arrest does not erase the pain, suffering, and sadness with a murder case that is almost 10 years old, we hope that a suspect being brought to justice lessens that burden.”
Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said, “This case serves as another example of an unwavering commitment by our Police Department to investigate and pursue those who commit crimes of violence in our community. Our office is grateful to partner with them in our continuing effort to hold offenders to account for their crimes and deliver justice to the victim.”