Jaremy Smith: Marion County issues 17 warrants for man accused of abducting paramedic and killing cop

MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA: Authorities in Marion County have issued seventeen warrants for the arrest of a man who they believe killed and abducted a Pee Dee paramedic before killing a state police officer with a gun in New Mexico.

Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, is being held in federal custody in New Mexico on three counts of murder, kidnapping, carjacking, and criminal conspiracy.

Smith is also facing two counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of possessing a weapon while committing a violent crime, and seven counts of being a felon in possession of a handgun.

Jaremy Smith suspected of involvement in death of police officer

Phonesia Machado-Fore, 52, of Marion, who worked for EMS organizations in Marion and Florence counties, disappeared from her home on Wildwood Loop early in March. Her body was found outside of Lake View in Dillon County on March 15, WNCT Greenville reported.

Machado-Fore's body was found quickly, and Smith was identified as a 'person of interest' in her demise.

There was also news of Smith's suspected involvement in the death of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare, who was ambushed on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari while stopping to help Smith.

Authorities claim that while Machado-Fore was inside his car when it broke down, Hare pulled over to offer assistance.

The lead investigator in this case, Marion County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division Chief Capt Darren Miles described it as the largest multi-agency investigation he has ever been a part of.

“Thank you to all our local, state, and federal partners for the long hours and manpower you contributed to this investigation,” he said on April 5, in a news release. “As a result of your assistance and dedication, justice will be served for Phonesia Machado-Fore.”

Investigation of Phonesia Machado-Fore's disappearance led by various organizations

The Dillon County Sheriff's Office, the Dillon County Coroner's Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the FBI, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the solicitors' offices for the Fourth and Twelve Circuits are just a few of the organizations that have contributed to the investigation.

The charges against Smith, according to Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace, “without the incredible collaboration with the New Mexico State Police and Bernanillo County Sherif’s Office, who while losing a brother, dug their heels in and worked tirelessly to identify, charge, and apprehend Jaremy Smith in New Mexico.”

“I have never seen a larger investigative force and collaboration than I have with this case,” Wallace said in the news release.

He further added, “For days, my office was filled with law enforcement officers from federal, state, and local agencies around the clock with one mission: find Phonesia and the person or persons responsible for her disappearance."

Wallace went on to say, “While we regret that we were unable to return Phonesia to her loved ones alive and well, we were able to locate her and offer her loved ones an opportunity to say a final farewell."

"I am incredibly proud of my department. They have worked together flawlessly and put in hundreds of hours of overtime to ensure that this case was resolved. We are far from done."

"This is still an active investigation. We will not rest until every person involved in this horrific crime is brought to justice. Our hearts will always be with the family of Phonesia Machado-Fore, the New Mexico State Police, and the family of Officer Justin Hare,” he concluded.

Jamie Hamilton, the sheriff for Dillon County, described the case as "tragic" and "senseless." He said, “This case brought national attention, and our community truly got involved. Our citizens readily stepped up to ensure justice would prevail."

Hamilton remarked, "May we never forget Phonesia Machado-Fore. I ask our community now to put their focus on her family and continue to lift her family in prayer. Further, may we not forget the tragic loss of fellow officer Justin Hare, New Mexico State Police. I certainly believe in the power of prayer.”