Feds: Woman Accused of Murder in TX Misused Passport in NJ

Federal authorities say a woman from Austin, TX, who is accused of murdering a professional cyclist in that city misused a passport when she flew out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger says 34-year-old Kaitlin Armstrong is facing one count of misuse of a passport in connection to the incident back in May.

Officials in Austin obtained an arrest warrant for Armstrong on May 17th for a murder that allegedly occurred on May 11th. The victim, professional cyclist Moriah Wilson, died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

On May 12th, Austin police interviewed Armstrong about the death and then they say she flew from Texas to New York-La Guardia Airport two days later.

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On May 18th, Armstrong allegedly boarded a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Costa Rica after presenting a ticket and passport in the name of another individual that she knew.

On June 29th, law enforcement officers apprehended Armstrong in Costa Rica where she was in possession of both her own passport and the passport that she presented at Newark Liberty, according to Sellinger.

Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas, told KVUE-TV,

The Marshals Service elevated the Kaitlin Armstrong investigation to major case status early in this investigation, which likely played a key role in her capture after a 43-day run. This is an example of combining the resources of local, state, federal and international authorities to apprehend a violent fugitive, bring an end to that run and hopefully a sense of closure to the victim’s family.

The misuse of a passport charge carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

KXAN-TV reports Armstrong is currently being held in jail in Austin.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.