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Federal judge sentences man in East Mountains shooting that left officer injured
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A man who shot a New Mexico State Police officer during a high-speed chase in Edgewood has been handed a nine-year sentence in federal prison.
A federal judge sentenced Caleb Elledge, 26, of Los Lunas, on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in the 2022 case.
Elledge’s attorney could not be reached Tuesday.
Court records show Lt. Jeremy Vaughan and his wife both addressed the court during Elledge’s sentencing.
Authorities say Vaughan medically retired from law enforcement because of the severity of his injuries from the shooting.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez said, in a statement, “Attacking a law enforcement officer is a guarantee that you will be caught and punished.”
“At today’s sentencing, Lt. Vaughn addressed Elledge directly, stating, ‘You and I should never have been enemies ... I have never been angry with you, there is nothing for me to forgive. ... I care about you as a fellow human being,’” Uballez said. “Lt. Vaughn and his wife offered grace grounded in faith, challenging Elledge to change: ‘Today is day one.’”
On Feb. 11, 2022, Vaughan approached Elledge’s vehicle outside a gas station in Edgewood before Elledge fled, ramming the officer’s vehicle.
Vaughan used a pursuit intervention technique to stop Elledge, who then shot Vaughan in the neck during a gunfire exchange.
Elledge initially escaped and State Police traced him to a home in McIntosh the next day, finding the gun used to shoot Vaughan.
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“As a previously convicted felon, Elledge was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a release Tuesday.
