McCluskey Sentenced to Life for Carjacking Murder

Albuquerque, NM – John Charles McCluskey, 49, was sentenced to life in prison followed by a consecutive term of 2,820 months (235 years) in prison for carjacking and murdering a retired couple from Oklahoma in August 2010.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez of the District of New Mexico, Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division and New Mexico State Police Chief Pete N. Kassetas.

On Jan. 20, 2012, Province and Welch entered guilty pleas to crimes arising out of the carjacking and murder of Mr. and Mrs. Haas, and agreed to testify during McCluskey’s capital trial. Yesterday, Province was sentenced to five consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of release as required by his plea agreement and Welch was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

On Oct. 7, 2013, McCluskey was found guilty on all counts of the indictment after an eight-week trial, and later was found eligible for the death penalty on Nov. 5, 2013, following a three-week proceeding. McCluskey’s capital trial concluded on Dec. 11, 2013, when the jury said it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the death penalty, thus requiring that McCluskey be sentenced to life in prison.

“With the help of his conspirators, John Charles McCluskey mercilessly killed two innocent victims and burned their bodies as he fled law enforcement after escaping from prison,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “Our thoughts are with those whose lives were changed forever by these heinous crimes.”

The evidence presented during McCluskey’s capital trial established that, on July 30, 2010, McCluskey and Province escaped from an Arizona state prison with Welch’s aid. On Aug. 2, 2010, McCluskey, Province and Welch carjacked Mr. and Mrs. Haas and their pickup truck and camping trailer at a rest stop off Interstate 40 in Quay County.

“The rationale behind violent crimes like the ones committed against the Haases may be hard to understand, but our message today is crystal clear: the FBI and its partners will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who show such a callous disregard for innocent lives,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Lee.

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