Staff Reports
ALBUQUERQUE — A Los Lunas man who shot a New Mexico State Police officer during a high-speed chase was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on July 9 for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to publicly available court records, on Feb. 11, 2022, New Mexico State Police Lt. Jeremy Vaughan was on duty at a gas station in Edgewood, New Mexico when he was dispatched to an area where a woman reportedly needed help.
As Vaughan approached a vehicle Caleb Elledge was in, 26-year-old Elledge fled, ramming the officer’s vehicle.
A pursuit ensued, ending when Vaughan performed a pursuit intervention technique. Elledge then fired at Vaughan, hitting him in the neck. Despite his injury, Vaughan returned fire before Elledge and his passenger fled on foot.
The following day, acting on a tip, NMSP agents located and arrested Elledge in McIntosh, New Mexico. During the arrest, Elledge apologized for shooting the officer. Agents recovered the firearm used in the shooting.
As a previously convicted felon, Elledge was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Vaughan medically retired due to the severity of his injuries from the shooting. Vaughan, his family, many of his NMSP colleagues, as well as numerous members of other law enforcement agencies were present in the courtroom when Elledge was sentenced.
