The Mysterious Fugitive, who had been on the run and was included on the U.S. Marshals’ most-wanted list, was finally apprehended on February 19. An investigation revealed that back in 1984, the fugitive, known as Campbell, took on the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, a classmate who had passed away in 1975 at the age of 22. Both Campbell and Coffman had studied engineering at the University of Arkansas, suggesting a potential connection between the two individuals. For years, Campbell had been using Coffman’s identity to secure a passport, obtain a replacement Social Security card, and acquire property in Weed, New Mexico.
However, Campbell’s elaborate scheme began to unravel in September 2019 when he renewed his driver’s license in Cloudcroft, New Mexico under Coffman’s name. Subsequently, the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit discovered Coffman’s death and the decades-long fraudulent use of his identity. Consequently, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Campbell and eventually located him on his 44-acre property in New Mexico.
Upon encountering law enforcement, Campbell reportedly brandished a scoped rifle and took up a concealed position. Following repeated commands and the use of flashbangs, Campbell emerged from the wooded area and was taken into custody. Officials discovered that his rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of penetrating standard body armor. Furthermore, a search of his property led to the confiscation of nearly 60 firearms and substantial amounts of ammunition.
Campbell was charged with misuse of a passport, with the possibility of additional charges pending investigation. If convicted of passport misuse, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. As the legal process unfolds, a trial date has yet to be scheduled. Authorities in Wyoming have been informed of Campbell’s apprehension and have requested that he be held in connection with outstanding attempted first-degree murder charges.
