Arizona troopers stopped a Texas-registered vehicle on Interstate 10 over the weekend and detained a 65-year-old man now at the center of a cross-state investigation, authorities said. The driver, identified as Bruce Kenton Jeffers, is being held in Cochise County while investigators in Texas look into the death of a 54-year-old woman. Texas deputies had circulated information about a suspect believed to be heading west on I-10, and a full autopsy has been ordered in the Texas case as officials decide whether criminal charges will follow.
Traffic stop in southern Arizona
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, troopers were alerted to a possible homicide suspect traveling west on I-10 and pulled over a vehicle near milepost 307, close to Benson. Officers took the driver into custody and booked him into the Cochise County jail as part of what officials described as a multiagency operation. As reported by 12News, the stop was coordinated with other law enforcement partners. Authorities in Arizona said the detainee will be extradited to Texas, according to KLTV.
Victim and East Texas investigation
In East Texas, Anderson County investigators identified the victim as 54-year-old Joni Williams of Tennessee Colony. Deputies said early findings indicate she suffered a gunshot wound, and the sheriff’s office has ordered a full autopsy while investigators continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. KLTV reports that Anderson County also confirmed plans to extradite the Arizona detainee on a separate warrant for violating bond conditions in an unrelated matter.
Extradition and next steps
Officials say agencies in Arizona and Texas are working out custody and transfer logistics while the Anderson County criminal investigation moves forward. Prosecutors will review the autopsy results along with other collected evidence before deciding whether to file homicide charges, and any extradition related to the bond-violation warrant will remain separate from a potential homicide case. The Arizona detainee is being held pending transfer to Texas, KLTV reported.
How to help
Anderson County authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office. The county’s website lists its records and tip line, and callers can reach the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 729-6068. While Jeffers remains in Arizona custody, Cochise County Detention staff are handling booking and transport details. For updates, visit the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and for booking information, see the Cochise County Detention Division.
