Indianapolis man sentenced to 140 years for murder, sexual assault of 15-year-old girl

INDIANAPOLIS– An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 140 years in prison for the 2023 murder and sexual assault of 15-year-old Janiya Carr.

Tevis Walker was sentenced after a Marion County jury found him guilty in September of murder, felony murder, two counts of rape and three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. Walker also pleaded guilty to a habitual offender sentencing enhancement.

Carr’s body was found Nov. 1, 2023, in a wooded area near the Carriage House East apartment complex on Indianapolis’ northeast side.

Carr had been reported missing several days earlier, on Oct. 28. She was last seen on surveillance video getting into a black Kia Optima registered to Walker around 4:30 a.m. that day.

Walker worked as a maintenance worker at the apartment complex, where he also lived.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing the vehicle returning to the complex and driving near the area where Carr’s body was later discovered. Video also showed Walker near the vehicle. Investigators later recovered Walker’s DNA from Carr.

During an interview with detectives, Walker said he picked up Carr to buy an iPad but claimed the seller never showed up. He told investigators he then drove her back to the apartment complex before asking for an attorney.

Walker was arrested Nov. 2, 2023.

Carr was a student at Arsenal Technical High School and was weeks away from her 16th birthday when she was killed.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said the sentence cannot undo the family’s loss but expressed hope it provides some comfort.

“Our prosecutors stood up for a young girl who could no longer stand up for herself and worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable,” Mears said.

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