BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
announced today that Raison Holt, 25, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before
U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, Jr. to high speed flight from border
checkpoint. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a
$250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling
the case, stated that on January 20, 2020, around 6:00 a.m., the defendant was
driving a motor vehicle on the Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge, heading into Canada.
Before entering Canada, Holt turned around in the middle of the bridge and
drove toward the United States at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry in
Lewiston. Despite numerous “stop” signs posted by U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, the defendant failed to stop for federal inspection.
At a vehicle check point just past the initial inspection
gate, a CBP officer verbally ordered Holt to stop, but the defendant ignored
the command and accelerated on Interstate 190, and then onto the route 104 exit
ramp. CBP vehicles gave chase in pursuit of the defendant’s speeding vehicle.
Officers witnessed Holt lose control of his vehicle and crash into a ditch on
the side of the road. The defendant attempted to run away but officers took the
Holt into custody. It was subsequently determined that the vehicle the
defendant was driving was stolen. Holt was turned over to the Buffalo Police
Department for an outstanding arrest warrant for Grand Larceny and Unauthorized
Use of a Motor Vehicle.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and
Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field
Operations.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 21, 2020, before Judge
Vilardo.
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