ACCUSED NEW MEXICO MURDERER ON U.S. MARSHALS
“MOST WANTED” LIST CAPTURED IN PHILADELPHIA

Phillip Anthony Williams, who was wanted for murder and evidence tampering in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was captured Sunday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

“The arrest of this extraordinarily dangerous fugitive was the result of an effective partnership among local police agencies, the media, and Deputy Marshals nationwide,” said U.S. Marshal Gordon E. Eden, District of New Mexico.

Williams, 44, was wanted since August 2003, when he allegedly attacked and murdered his ex-girlfriend, Josephine Chacon, in the parking lot of the Sandia Indian Casino in Albuquerque.  Chacon was viciously stabbed in her back, neck, arms, and upper chest.  Chacon had called off her relationship with Williams one month prior to her death.

The New Mexico State Police warrant for Williams charged him with murder and tampering with evidence.  When he fled the state, authorities sought help from the U.S. Marshals, who secured a federal warrant charging Williams with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.  On November 7, 2003, Williams was added to the Marshals “15 Most Wanted” list, which made him the subject of a national manhunt.

On May 21, 2005, Williams was profiled on the television show “America’s Most Wanted.”  Credible leads were received from the public, which sent U.S. Marshals racing to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Last week, it was learned that he had fled to the Philadelphia area.  The Marshals distributed wanted posters to the Philadelphia Police Department.  A sharp-eyed Philadelphia police officer, who had seen the “America’s Most Wanted” episode, saw Williams on the street and confronted him.  Williams gave a false name and had no ID.  He was detained for identification, but physically resisted several officers during fingerprinting.  Once results were obtained, he was positively identified.  Williams is scheduled to face an extradition hearing.

The original 2003 press release is located at: www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/15/williams15.htm.

For more information about the United States Marshals, please visit the Web site at www.usmarshals.gov/.