A man on the run for over 40 years, Stephen Craig Campbell, was captured in Weed, New Mexico, on February 19, 2025. Campbell had been wanted for attempted first-degree murder and had assumed the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, a deceased University of Arkansas graduate who died in 1975. This allowed him to evade authorities and fraudulently obtain government benefits.
Court documents reveal that Campbell applied for a passport using Coffman's name in 1984 and renewed it multiple times. He also acquired a Social Security card under Coffman's identity in 1995 with an Oklahoma driver’s license. Around 2003, he moved to Weed, New Mexico, purchasing property under the false identity.
The scheme began to unravel when Campbell visited the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department in Cloudcroft in September 2019 to renew his driver's license with fraudulent documents. This prompted an investigation by agents from the National Passport Center's Fraud Prevention Unit who discovered Coffman's death and suspected fraudulent use of his identity.
Authorities suspect Campbell received approximately $140,000 from U.S. government funds through Social Security Title II Retirement Insurance Benefits under Coffman's name.
Investigators revealed that Campbell was arrested in Wyoming in 1982 for allegedly planting an explosive device at his estranged wife's boyfriend's home. The explosion caused injuries and led to charges of attempted first-degree murder against him. Released on bond in 1983, he failed to appear in court resulting in an active warrant.
On February 14, 2025, warrants were issued for Campbell's arrest and a search of the property registered under Coffman's name was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies. During his arrest, Campbell reportedly greeted officers armed with a scoped rifle but was detained after repeated orders and the use of flashbangs.
Agents confirmed his true identity through fingerprinting after arresting him. A search yielded 57 firearms and large quantities of ammunition on the property where he resided illegally as a fugitive prohibited from possessing firearms.
Campbell faces charges for misuse of a passport which could result in up to ten years imprisonment if convicted. Law enforcement is reviewing evidence collected during the search to evaluate additional charges against him.
Following his arrest, Wyoming authorities have requested a detainer related to pending attempted first-degree murder charges against him there.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin announced these developments alongside Special Agent Jason Albers from SSA OIG and FBI Special Agent Raul Bujanda from Albuquerque Field Office today.
The investigation involved cooperation between various agencies including Las Cruces Resident Agency of FBI Albuquerque Field Office and Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General among others with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clara Nevarez Cobos.
All defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt according to law despite criminal complaints being filed against them.
___