Kalamazoo man charged with murder of ex-girlfriend, fleeing halfway house
(WWJ) - A Kalamazoo man is facing a murder charge after authorities say he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend and fled a halfway house.
38-year-old Carlos Watts, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to "14 months' incarceration for escaping from a halfway house, where he was living in accordance with a court order for a previous federal drug conviction," according to U.S Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten.
Watts was also charged on Jan. 10 with the murder of Heather Kelley by Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Getting. Authorities said Watts will be transferred to state custody to face the murder charge after his federal sentence.
"Carlos Watts poses a tremendous threat to our community," Totten said. "While finishing his sentence at a halfway house for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm, Mr. Watts cut his tether, fled the facility, and has since been charged with the murder of his former girlfriend. My office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and hold criminals accountable."
Authorities said Watts was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for "distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking" in 2013.
Watts was transferred to the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program halfway house towards the end of his sentence.
Prosecutors said that "Kelley left her home on December 10, 2022, to pick up Watts from a restaurant where he worked. She was never seen again."
Watts was questioned about Kelley's disappearance on Dec. 11, 2022 at the halfway house.
Watts allegedly used a pair of scissors and cut off his ankle monitor in the morning of Dec. 12, 2022 before leaving, according to authorities. Police were notified of Watts' escape by the halfway house.
Police said they learned Watts was at a Battle Creek house two days after his escape. Watts allegedly barricaded himself in the house before surrendering to the police.
"The FBI remains committed to bringing justice for Heather Kelley and her family," Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan said. "We thank all the dedicated prosecutorial and law enforcement teams for their relentless support throughout this case. We continue to request the help of the public by reporting any tips that may bring resolution to this case to the Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org, or to the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or www.tips.fbi.gov."
The murder charge was filed Jan. 10, according to authorities.
