MARION, SC – A man from South Carolina, described by authorities as a “cold-blooded killer,” is facing charges for a series of horrific crimes, including the murder of a paramedic and a police officer. Jaremy Smith, 33, has pleaded guilty to killing New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare and is awaiting sentencing, while new details have emerged about the death of Phonesia Machado-Fore in Marion County.
Court documents allege that in March of last year, Smith kidnapped the paramedic after reportedly stealing firearms from her residence. He purportedly forced her into her own BMW and drove her to a wooded area, where he shot her execution-style in the back of the head. Machado-Fore’s body was discovered the following day adorned in pajamas and house slippers, a dog shock collar around her neck, and her face covered in bloody bandannas.
New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler criticized Smith as a “ruthless murderer,” responsible for the deaths of two dedicated community servants. The gruesome discovery was detailed in a federal warrant filed in January, supporting an ongoing investigation into Smith’s activities across several states.
Following these violent acts, Smith embarked on a cross-country crime spree, committing an armed robbery en route with an unnamed accomplice. Documents state that the duo initially traveled from South Carolina to Texas, with tensions rising along the way.
Smith’s journey eventually led him to New Mexico, where he encountered Officer Hare. According to Smith’s plea agreement, he shot Hare at a roadside, seized Hare’s police cruiser, and drove away, intent on escaping law enforcement. The chilling account reveals Smith’s armed confrontation, his calculated approach to the shooting, and his subsequent actions in trying to avoid capture.
Facing life imprisonment in New Mexico, Smith has already entered a guilty plea for multiple charges, including carjacking resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death. Back in South Carolina, Smith is preparing to stand trial for a sizable list of charges, including murder, kidnapping, and several firearms offenses, with trials expected in the upcoming months.
Currently incarcerated at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, Smith’s case continues to shock and outrage communities and law enforcement agencies. The upcoming trial in South Carolina will address the 17 charges leveled against him in connection with Machado-Fore’s death and other alleged crimes.
This disturbing sequence of events has amplified discussions about violence against emergency service workers and law enforcement, leaving a trail of grief and anger among those affected by Smith’s actions.