NEWS
Beloved resident of Weed or identity thief and attempted murderer?
Man sentenced in 40-year identity theft after fleeing alleged bombing of ex-wife
A 76-year-old man accused of trying to blow up his ex-wife in Wyoming before living under the identity of a dead college classmate for 40 years — much of that time in New Mexico — was sentenced Friday to more than six years in federal prison.
Stephen Campbell, known for decades as “Walter Coffman” by his second wife and the town of Weed, pleaded guilty in May to misuse of a passport, possession of false papers to defraud the U.S., aggravated identity theft and fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
His attorney declined to comment.
Campbell’s long-held secret began to unravel after, posing as Coffman, he provided fraudulent documents to renew his driver’s license at an MVD office in Cloudcroft in 2019. After the renewal, fraud investigators discovered Coffman had been killed by a drunk driver in 1975 and alerted federal authorities.
Following a multiyear investigation, FBI agents in tactical gear arrested Campbell in February 2025 after he fled into the woods behind his home armed with a rifle and wearing camouflage. Agents threw a few flashbangs and Campbell surrendered.
Court records show a search of his property turned up 57 firearms, a surplus of ammunition and “extensive identity theft documents” — including Coffman’s Social Security card and multiple passports.
Prior to the arrest, Campbell had been on the U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted List for more than 40 years, where his name still appears. The wanted poster states Campbell is a “very capable outdoorsman.”
“Campbell is assumed to have changed his name and appearance,” according to the website. Campbell still has an active warrant for attempted murder out of Wyoming in the 1982 bombing of his ex-wife. Authorities say Campbell planted the bomb for the new boyfriend.
“When his wife opened the toolbox containing the bomb, it exploded, causing her to lose a finger and suffer other injuries,” according to court records. “The blast also set a fire to the residence and a neighboring unit.”
After being arrested in that case, Campbell posted bond and disappeared.
In 1984, Campbell applied for a passport as Coffman, whom he had attended the University of Arkansas with, and in 1988 he remarried under that identity. His second wife, who filed for divorce soon after his arrest last year, declined to comment Friday.
In 1995, while living in Oklahoma, Campbell contested Coffman’s death and obtained a replacement Social Security card in his name. Several years later, in 2003, Campbell and his wife moved to Weed in Otero County — where he became a volunteer firefighter, attended community meetings and started a community newsletter, The Weed Patch.
So beloved was “Walt,” in fact, that several residents — despite knowing of Campbell’s crimes and deceit — wrote letters asking the federal judge for leniency in his sentencing. Federal authorities say Campbell received around $140,000 in retirement benefits under Coffman’s name.
A marital settlement agreement showed Campbell and his second wife split almost $1.5 million in assets, including off-road vehicles, a homebuilt airplane, police radio scanners and artworks — many done by his second wife — totaling tens of thousands of dollars.
“Due to a difference in temperament and outlook, petitioner and respondent have been unable to live together harmoniously,” according to the divorce petition. “There is a discord and conflict of personality that have destroyed the marital relationship.”
In several letters to the judge, residents of Weed — with a population of 67 — spoke highly of Campbell, whom they fondly refer to as “Walt.” Some said they had known Campbell and his wife for more than 20 years.
One woman wrote she knew Campbell as “a soft-spoken man of great intellect with whom it was very easy to have a conversation.” She said he was active in the community and could often be seen at Otero County Commission meetings.
“When I heard of this recent situation in his life, you could have knocked me over with a feather,” she wrote. “I found it hard to believe of the Walt I knew. I pray for him often and would welcome him back into the community at any time.”
Another woman said “Walt” and his wife helped care for her stepfather and keep his property maintained as his health declined. She said after he passed, she gave Campbell 30 to 50 of his guns, calling the couple two “of the most selfless people.”
“I honestly didn't think people like them existed anymore. They took away some of my cynicism of people only looking out for themselves,” the woman wrote.
Other residents wrote “Walt is a friend to me and to our little mountain town” and “Walt cares. I sincerely believe that Walt makes Weed a better place to live.”
One note read, “he is truly missed by me personally and many more.”
In a letter that began “Dear Walt (As I know you),” Otero County Commissioner Amy Barela thanked Campbell “for the guidance and support you have given me over the years.” She said he challenged her “to think outside the box,” and she never doubted his “passion for Weed and the surrounding area.”
Barela told the Journal on Friday she remembered “Walt” as being active in the community and “very knowledgeable about the laws.” She said she was “absolutely” surprised to learn he was living a lie.
“Well, I guess you have no idea who you’re hanging around,” Barela said.
A 2026 sentencing memorandum stated Campbell had several health issues, including kidney disease, short-term memory loss and a “recent significant fall,” requesting a two-year sentence.
“The Weed community views Mr. Campbell as a positive force — not a danger — and his age further reduces any future risk,” according to the memorandum. “His community will welcome him back, and he has substantial assistance waiting for him upon his release from custody.”
Court records show the Green River Police Department in Wyoming expressed interest in extraditing Campbell to face charges on the decades-old attempted murder charge. Calls to the police department went unanswered Friday.