New Mexico

1982 bombing suspect found in New Mexico

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

1982 bombing suspect found in New Mexico

A man on the run for more than four decades is behind bars after federal and county law enforcement agencies arrested him in Weed, New Mexico last week.

WEED, N.M. — A man on the run for more than four decades is behind bars after federal and county law enforcement agencies arrested him in Weed, New Mexico last week.

Stephen Campbell was wanted by U.S. Marshals for attempted murder after allegedly making a bomb and planting it at his estranged wife’s boyfriend’s house in Wyoming in 1982. She was severely injured in the explosion.

He was released on bond and disappeared. Court documents show he was living a double life for more than 40 years, assuming the identity of Walter Coffman — a former engineering classmate.

“We knew they went to school together, but they might have been even closer than that,” Special Agent in Charge of FBI Albuquerque Office Raul Bujanda said. “They might have been friends.”

Bujanda said a red flag went up for social security agents in 2019 when Campbell visited an MVD in Cloudcroft to renew his license under Coffman’s name.

Court records show he submitted his New Mexico driver’s license with his photo, but the name and birthdate of Coffman. He also provided a social security card with Coffman’s name and social security number, and a passport with his photo identifying him as Coffman.

But agents knew Coffman died in a motorcycle accident in 1975 and suspected someone was fraudulently using his identity. His obituary includes his photo.

After living as Coffman for decades, Campbell’s web of lies began to untangle. Agent Bujanda said Campbell had even received around $170,000 in social security benefits.

“The one thing we had since he was constantly renewing his passport and providing his new photo of what he looked like today, but always providing his current address made it easy for us to locate him through facial recognition and that photograph was able to tell us who he really was,” Bujanda said.

Last week an FBI SWAT team, social security agents, and Otero County deputies executed a search warrant on Campbell’s rural 44-acre property. Bujanda said Campbell was outside when they arrived.

“He saw them coming from what they believe he was getting a tactical advantage over the team that were coming in,” Bujanda said. “We learned that he was probably in for a fight but didn’t expect that he was getting a huge presence from law enforcement.”

After his arrest, Campbell’s fingerprints confirmed his true identity. Campbell is facing a charge of passport fraud in New Mexico, but will be extradited to Wyoming where he’s facing an attempted murder charge.

Bujanda said the FBI plans to file more charges.

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New Mexico

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via $8M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Mack Dyer salutes the American Flag during a ceremony, Feb. 25, 2026 at the American Legion in Carlsbad. Adrian Hedden | Carlsbad Current-Argus

Adrian Hedden Carlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com Mack Dyer served for 21 years in the U.S. Army. He fought in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi…

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New Mexico

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

The Nevada women’s basketball team dropped its final home contest of the 2025-26 season on Saturday with New Mexico spoiling Senior Day and pushing past the Wolf Pack for a 63-56 win.

The Wolf Pack led 36-34 at halftime behind a hot-shooting start. Skylar Durley, Imbie Jones and Ahrray Young each had six points as Nevada shot 14-of-25 from the field (56%). But things cooled off in the second half, with the Lobos outscoring the Wolf Pack 19-13 in the third quarter to take a four-point lead into the fourth. Nevada’s shooting woes only worsened in the final period when it made just three field goals, including none in the final four minutes.

Durley led Nevada with 16 points and six rebounds. Young finished with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Wolf Pack made just one three-pointer out of its nine attempts.

The loss drops Nevada to 9-20 overall, 5-14 within the Mountain West Conference. The Wolf Pack now heads to Utah State for Tuesday’s regular-season finale before opening the Mountain West Tournament play next Saturday in Las Vegas.

Watch our coverage of the game below.

Highlights and reaction from Nevada’s loss to New Mexico.

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