WACO, Texas -- A Waco man was arrested Tuesday for killing a local AT&T worker and setting him on fire nearly two years ago.
Waco Police said Zachery Lamone McKee, 28, stabbed, cut and struck Kenneth Wayne Cleveland, 61, multiple times before lighting him on fire in the 500 block alleyway behind and between N. 14th Street and Novelty Street on April 22, 2016.
McKee became a suspect early in the investigation and has since confessed to the murder -- providing detectives with details only someone with direct knowledge of the homicide could have known, according to his arrest warrant. The warrant was served late Tuesday afternoon when McKee was transported to the McLennan County Jail from the Falls County Jail, where he was already in custody for another matter. His bond was set at $500,000.
The warrant said McKee was able to corroborate information that was previously unknown, and investigators were then able to substantiate that information.
"Murder cases such as this are extremely complex and complicated investigations," Waco Police Sgt. Patrick Swnaton said. "[The] Waco Police Department's Special Crimes Detectives and our Crime Scene Unit worked tirelessly to obtain probable cause to get a warrant issued for the suspect's arrest."
Authorities originally believed Cleveland died of a work-related accident. But, an autopsy later revealed he was stabbed 13 times in the back of the head and neck. Ever since that revelation, his adult children have been seeking justice.
One of his daughters said McKee did not know her father nor was the family sure why Cleveland was targeted.
Our family is elated to hear of the arrest in our father's murder. We are all gathered together and still trying to process the news of the arrest. It is by no means closure but a step in the right direction to start the healing process. Nothing will bring our father back, but we seek comfort in the fact that he cannot hurt anyone else.
According to records from the Texas Department of Public Safety, McKee has multiple prior convictions on everything from assault causing bodily injury, to vehicle burglary and indecent exposure.
In 2017, Cleveland's family filed a $1 million gross negligence lawsuit against AT&T in Dallas district court. The family claimed Cleveland was sent to a dangerous part of Waco and that AT&T took three hours to check on him after he allegedly called the company to report he was involved in some sort of altercation.
The Cleveland family is relieved and appreciative that the efforts of the Waco Police Department and other law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of the person they believe responsible for our father’s death. We remain aggrieved, nonetheless, that out father’s death could have been prevented had his long-time employer, AT&T taken the simple, straightforward steps, that it knew could deter and prevent such tragedy
For its part, AT&T released the following statement Tuesday following the arrest.
We are very thankful to hear this news. Ken was a dedicated employee for over four decades, and was widely admired by his co-workers. His senseless, tragic death was deeply felt here at AT&T, and we continue to offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers.
The safety and welfare of our employees is of paramount concern to us. We have been committed to this investigation and we offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Read McKee's murder warrant below.
Zachery McKee Arrest Warrant by Channel 6 News on Scribd