Two Men Arrested for Accessory to Murder

Farmington, NM - During the evening hours of May 29, 2012 Deputies and Investigators with the United States Marshals Service Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) Task Force arrested Joe Vallejos and Jeremiah Mason. Vallejos and Mason were wanted for their alleged involvement in a Murder that happened on April 3, 2012 in Ignacio, Colorado.

On 04/06/2012, United States Marshals, Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) task force, arrested Tommy Mitchell for Murder. Allegedly on 04/03/2012, Tommy Mitchell and Elijah Anglin drove to Ignacio, Colorado in La Plata County, to collect money for a drug debt. The victim did not have the money and was allegedly shot by Anglin, and Mitchell. The victim later died and La Plata County Sheriff’s Department arrested Anglin in Colorado and The United States Marshals Service Deputies and Task Force Officers arrested Mitchell in Farmington, NM.

La Plata County Sheriff's Department Detective Division conducted more interviews with individuals involved in the Ignacio, Colorado Murder and developed information that Vallejos and Mason were also involved and possibly at the scene of the murder. La Plata County Sheriff’s Department issued arrest warrants for the two subjects believed to be in the Farmington area. La Plata County SO asked assistance from the Marshals Service SWIFT Task Force in arresting Vallejos and Mason. SWIFT Investigators and Region II Narcotics and Gang Task Force Officers quickly confirmed that the two were still in Farmington and both subjects were arrested at different locations in Farmington NM. Both subjects will be extradited back to Colorado to face charges.

United States Marshal for the District of New Mexico Conrad E. Candelaria said “in “lock-step” with the local, county, state and tribal police agencies, the Marshals Service stands ready to assist in the pursuit, investigation and apprehension of dangerous and violent fugitives; these recent arrests of two dangerous fugitives is but another example of a forged partnership that has been shaped throughout the generations.”

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.