Thread: NY: Illegal alien faces prison for high-speed chase

Published November 26, 2008 10:24 pm - A Columbian citizen faces prison time for trying to elude authorities at a local border crossing.

Illegal alien faces prison for high-speed chase


By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
Staff Writer


PLATTSBURGH — A Columbian man has admitted to trying to elude authorities at a local border crossing earlier this year.

Diego Lesmes-Maldonado drove up to the Rouses Point Port of Entry in mid-September and tried to cross the border, with three illegal aliens inside his vehicle.

When the 31-year-old driver came into contact with Customs and Border Protection officers, he ignored their instructions and suddenly sped away.

Soon, border officials and Clinton County Sheriff's Department deputies began tailing the vehicle as it headed over Route 2 and into Vermont. After a half-hour chase, authorities were able to stop the vehicle by putting spike strips down in South Hero, Vt.

Once his vehicle was disabled, officers took Lesmes-Maldonado into custody and found out that he and his three passengers were all illegal aliens from South America.

Lesmes-Maldonado's unsuccessful late-night escape attempt landed him behind bars on federal charges, one of which he pleaded guilty to this week.

He is now facing up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine after admitting to the felony offense of high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint.

Federal prosecutors said Lesmes-Maldonado could also face three years of supervised release after his incarceration.

Lesmes-Maldonado, who was illegally living in Florida when he traveled to the northern border, is due back in court March 11 for sentencing.

www.pressrepublican.com

I got the biggest laugh out of this!!!! These guys went into the densest cop covered part of the border...LOL!

Plattsburg is very close to Akwesasne ( St. Regis Indian Rez) in NY. This is CRAWLING with DEA, ICE, OPP (Ontaio Povincial Police), QPP ( Quebec Provincial Police), NY State Troopers, FBI, Coast Guard... you name it they are there. The powers that be consider our Rez as a main smuggling route. There are boats on the St. Lawrence, helicopters and drones in the air.

I can just picture this chase scene. They brought the wrath of everyone down on their heads...LOL!