Marion man pleads guilty to murdering S.C. EMS worker (DOJ)

FLORENCE, S.C. - Jaremy Alexander Smith, 35, of Marion, has pleaded guilty to the 2024 kidnapping, carjacking, and murder of a Florence County EMS worker.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 13, 2024, Smith entered the home of Phonesia Machado-Fore in Marion where he kidnapped her and took her to a remote location near Nichols. Once there, Smith executed Machado-Fore behind an abandoned house while she was bound and blindfolded. Smith then drove Machado-Fore's car back to her residence where he stole several firearms that he later sold. Smith then drove the stolen car to New Mexico, where he killed New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Officer Justin Hare on March 15, 2024. In April 2025, Smith was sentenced to life in prison in the District of New Mexico for killing the NMSP Officer.

"The senseless murders of Ms. Machado-Fore and NMSP Officer Hare were shocking and heartbreaking," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "Now, thanks to a multi-state law enforcement investigation, Smith faces accountability for these two heinous acts. We offer our continued condolences to both families as they heal and remember their loved ones."

"The defendant's violent and horrific attacks on two first responders sent shockwaves throughout South Carolina and New Mexico," said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Anish Shukla. "While his acceptance of responsibility cannot bring back Ms. Machado-Fore or Officer Hare, we truly hope their families and friends can start healing knowing that the defendant is being held fully accountable for his despicable actions."

Smith faces a mandatory penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and a term of supervision to follow imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson III accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Smith after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Everett McMillian and Christopher Lietzow are prosecuting the case with support from DOJ's Capital Case Section Trial Attorneys Barry Disney, Julie Adams and Aria Merle.

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