In a remarkable turn of events, a fugitive who had evaded capture for over four decades was recently apprehended, unveiling a complex narrative of identity theft, attempted murder, and a life lived under false pretenses. Stephen Craig Campbell, now 76, managed to remain at large by assuming the identity of a deceased college classmate, Walter Lee Coffman, meticulously constructing a new life while eluding law enforcement agencies.
The Initial Crime and Disappearance
The saga began in 1982 when Campbell was arrested in Wyoming on charges of attempted first-degree murder. He allegedly planted a bomb inside a toolbox on the doorstep of his estranged wife’s boyfriend’s residence. When his wife opened the box, it detonated, resulting in the loss of one of her fingers and causing a fire that destroyed the home and a neighboring property. Following his arrest, Campbell was released on bond in 1983 but failed to appear for his court date, effectively disappearing and earning a spot on the U.S. Marshals Service’s most wanted list.
Assuming a New Identity
To facilitate his disappearance, Campbell adopted the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, a former classmate from the University of Arkansas who had died in a motorcycle accident in 1975 at the age of 22. Both had studied engineering, suggesting a plausible connection between them. In 1984, Campbell applied for a passport under Coffman’s name and subsequently obtained a Social Security card in 1995 using an Oklahoma driver’s license bearing Coffman’s identity. This new identity enabled him to collect approximately $140,000 in Social Security retirement benefits and purchase a 44-acre property in Weed,
The Unraveling of the Deception
Campbell’s decades-long ruse began to unravel in 2019 when he attempted to renew his driver’s license in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, using documents under Coffman’s name. The National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit flagged discrepancies, notably Coffman’s recorded death, prompting a deeper investigation. This scrutiny revealed Campbell’s true identity and his extensive use of Coffman’s credentials.
Apprehension and Legal Proceedings
On February 19, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Campbell’s New Mexico property. He initially resisted arrest, positioning himself with a high-powered, scoped rifle capable of penetrating body armor. After deploying flash-bang devices and issuing repeated commands, law enforcement officers apprehended him. A subsequent search of his property uncovered 57 firearms and substantial ammunition stockpiles. Campbell now faces charges of passport misuse, which carry a potential 10-year prison sentence. Additional charges related to his 1982 alleged crime and weapons possession are under consideration.
Implications and Reflections
Campbell’s case underscores the challenges inherent in tracking fugitives who exploit identity theft and underscores the importance of vigilance in document verification processes. His ability to evade capture for over 40 years highlights both the sophistication of his deception and potential gaps in inter-agency communication and identity verification systems. The resolution of this case brings closure to a decades-long pursuit and serves as a testament to the persistence of law enforcement agencies in seeking justice.
