A man wanted for a bombing that happened in 1982 has been caught in California after living under a false identity for many years, according to law enforcement. Stephen Craig Campbell, 76, was arrested on February 18 at his home in Weed, New Mexico, where he was charged with misusing a passport.
The U.S. Marshals Service had been looking for Campbell for more than four decades. He faced charges of attempted murder for allegedly planting an explosive device at the home of his estranged wife’s boyfriend in Wyoming. The incident resulted in injuries to his wife, including the loss of a finger, and sparked fires in nearby residential areas.
Officials say that after a college classmate named Walter Lee Coffman died in a car accident in 1975, Campbell took on his identity. Campbell and Coffman attended the same university, where both studied engineering, which likely helped him blend in under Coffman’s name.
In 1984, Campbell applied for a passport using Coffman’s details and renewed it several times over the years, often providing his own photograph and address. He even obtained a Social Security card and a driver’s license in Coffman’s name, misleading authorities for nearly four decades. He reportedly received around $140,000 in Social Security benefits under the stolen identity.
His arrest was prompted when he attempted to renew his driver’s license in New Mexico, which raised suspicions. Authorities quickly realized that Coffman had died long ago. At the time of his arrest, Campbell was allegedly armed with a powerful rifle and took cover on his property. Authorities deployed flash bangs to safely apprehend him, discovering numerous firearms and ammunition during the search.
The case has left many shocked, including Coffman’s family, who expressed their devastation at Campbell’s long-term deceit. Campbell is currently in custody, although it is not yet clear if he has entered a plea or hired an attorney.
