Charges filed in South Carolina against NMSP shooting suspect

A sheriff’s agency in South Carolina announced 17 arrest warrants for a man suspected last month of killing a paramedic, then fatally shooting a New Mexico State Police officer near Tucumcari.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release Friday that Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina, has been charged in the kidnapping and killing of South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore.

The office stated the warrants are for these charges:

— Murder

— Kidnapping

— Carjacking

— First-degree burglary (two counts)

— Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime (two counts)

— Felon in possession of a firearm (seven counts)

— Criminal conspiracy

— Grand larceny of a motor vehicle (two counts)

If convicted of the most serious South Carolina charge, Smith could face a sentence of up to life in prison or the death penalty by electric chair, lethal injection or a firing squad.

Smith remains in custody in New Mexico on federal charges, the most serious of which could lead to life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Machado-Fore, 52, who worked as an emergency medical technician in two South Carolina counties, disappeared on March 12 from her Marion home.

Her body was found with a gunshot wound to the head on March 15 in nearby Dillon County, South Carolina. Smith initially was named a person of interest in the case.

The same day, Smith was accused of fatally shooting NMSP officer Justin Hare of Logan on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari after Hare stopped to help him with a flat tire. South Carolina authorities said Smith was driving Machado-Fore’s car.

Smith was shot and apprehended in Albuquerque by Bernilillo County sheriff’s deputies two days later.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office credited the collaboration with NMSP and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office “who in the midst of losing a brother, dug their heels in and worked tirelessly to identify, charge and apprehend Jaremy Smith.”

“We are far from done. This is still an active investigation,” Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace stated. “We will not rest until every person involved in this horrific crime is brought to justice. Our hearts will always be with the family of Phonesia Machado-Fore, the New Mexico State Police and the family of Officer Justin Hare.”

“May we never forget Phonesia Machado-Fore,” Dillon County Sheriff Jamie Hamilton stated. “I ask our community now to put their focus on her family and continue to lift her family up in prayer. Further, may we not forget the tragic loss of fellow officer Justin Hare, New Mexico State Police. I certainly believe in the power of prayer.”

Several NSMP officers attended Machado-Fore’s funeral, which was held a few days in South Carolina before Hare’s funeral in Albuquerque.