Albuquerque, NM and Florence, SC –

Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced that it filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Jaremy Alexander Smith, 35, of Marion, South Carolina, for the 2024 kidnapping, carjacking, and murder of a Marion County EMS Paramedic. A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on Feb. 24 charging Smith with kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, using a firearm during a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder, possession of stolen firearms, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

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According to the federal indictment, on March 13, 2024, Smith entered the home of Phonesia Machado-Fore in Marion, kidnapped her, and forced her to drive to a remote location near Nichols. There, Smith executed Machado-Fore behind an abandoned house.

Investigators reportedly found Machado-Fore wearing slippers and her bedroom clothing with a shock collar around her neck. They located cut zip ties near her body, and her face was covered in blood-soaked material, with plastic tape secured around her mouth. She had a single gunshot wound to the back of her head.

Smith then drove Machado-Fore’s vehicle back to her residence, stole several firearms, and later sold them. Afterward, Smith drove the stolen vehicle to New Mexico, where he killed New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare on March 15, 2024.

Federal prosecutors have decided to prosecute Smith for the death of Machado-Fore, a case that initially saw him facing 17 state charges in South Carolina.

On January 17th, 2025, a sea of grey and black New Mexico State uniforms packed the courtroom of U.S. District Judge James Browning for the change of plea hearing for cop and paramedic killer Jaremy Smith. The State Police officers were there to support Officer Hare’s family as Smith sat in the courtroom. On that date, Smith accepted a plea deal proposed by the then-U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, Alexander M.M. Uballez. (Continues below photo)

Smith could be seen smiling and laughing with his attorneys. When Smith’s was asked to answer questions, his answers were smug with a “Yes, sir,” to Judge Browning.

In April 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico sentenced Smith to life in prison for killing Officer Hare.

New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare’s parents wanted the death penalty in their son’s murder.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi authorized federal prosecutors in the District of South Carolina to seek capital punishment in this case. Smith is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Feb. 26, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. in Florence, South Carolina.

The FBI Columbia Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Everett McMillian and Christopher Lietzow are prosecuting the case, with support from DOJ Capital Case Section Trial Attorneys Barry Disney and Julie Adams.

The charges in the indictment are allegations only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the government proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

DE BACA COUNTY, N.M. (KFDA) – New Mexico State Police have identified the man who shot at an officer near Fort Sumner as the search continues for both him and his accomplice.

Officials say the man who shot at a New Mexico State Police officer has been identified as 39-year-old Jovan Martinez.

According to police, Martinez and his accomplice, identified as 26-year-old Makaela Johnson, are believed to be armed and dangerous and have active felony warrants for their arrest.

New Mexico State Police, along with local law enforcement partners, are actively searching for the pair.

If you see either individual, do not approach them. Please call 911 immediately.

Copyright 2026 KFDA. All rights reserved.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Strong high pressure off the Baja California coast is keeping brisk northwest winds across New Mexico through at least Thursday.

Expect gusty winds each afternoon, with critical fire weather returning to the Roswell area on Wednesday afternoon. Warm, dry conditions will elevate fire danger.

On Wednesday, the northeast and east central plains may see slightly lighter winds due to a weak surface low. However, gusts could reach 50 mph from Clines Corners to Vaughn and possibly as far east as Fort Sumner.

Temperatures will soar well above normal, with highs running 9 to 23 degrees above average. Near-record highs are possible in central New Mexico, and multiple record highs are likely across eastern New Mexico.

Thursday brings a backdoor cold front to northern and eastern New Mexico, dropping temperatures by 5 to 12 degrees compared to Wednesday. Winds will remain breezy.

Watch the video above for more from Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia.