ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 33-year-old Jaremy Smith with the murder of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare.
Jaremy Smith, a South Carolina native, is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on April 18, 2024. According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, Smith attempted to flag down passing motorists on Interstate 40 in Quay County, New Mexico, to assist with a flat tire. However, the vehicle in question was a stolen white BMW that Smith had driven from South Carolina.
Officer Justin Hare was dispatched to the scene to assist Smith, but what ensued was a tragic and senseless act of violence. Court documents reveal that Smith shot Officer Hare with a Taurus 9mm pistol, which he had also stolen from South Carolina. After shooting Officer Hare twice, Smith then entered the patrol vehicle and drove it westbound on Interstate 40 before eventually crashing it in Guadalupe County, New Mexico.
The federal indictment charges Jaremy Smith with carjacking resulting in death, causing death by the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, kidnapping resulting in death, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and interstate transport of a stolen vehicle.
If convicted of the current charges, Jaremy Smith faces a mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death charge, and any number of years up to life or death for the carjacking and discharge of a firearm offenses.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office and New Mexico State Police investigated this case with assistance from the Tenth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. States Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Jack Burkhead are prosecuting the case.
It’s worth noting that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime