Canadian woman accused of illegal U.S. entry was reportedly meeting fiancé to pick up her dog
A Canadian woman is facing charges in the U.S. after allegedly illegally crossing the border into Washington state and becoming aggressive and violent during her arrest in late December, injuring a U.S. border agent in the process.
In custody at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility, the woman allegedly told investigators she was on her way to retrieve her dog from her Washington-based fiancé.
In an FBI affidavit filed in the U.S District Court for the state’s western district and obtained by Seattle ABC affiliate KIRO 7 , prosecutors say the woman had first attempted to enter the U.S. through the Peace Arch port of entry between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., on Dec. 30. She was denied after revealing to CBP officials that she had a marijuana vape pen on her person.
It’s against U.S. law to bring cannabis products in any form across the border, even from Canada, where it is legal, and into Washington, where it’s also legal.
Several hours later, the woman allegedly went to the nearby Peace Arch State Park and crossed the border into a grassy area on the park’s north side.
In the affidavit, investigators noted the park has a deep culvert marking the border, concrete barriers and signs warning that people who cross the international boundary will be arrested and charged.
CBP agents allegedly stopped the woman in the park and called their supervisor for assistance when she became uncooperative, ignoring their repeated commands to stop and shouting obscenities.
According to the affidavit, the supervisor described the woman as “hysterical.”
Investigators allege she resisted when the supervisor tried to place her under arrest for the border violation, refusing commands, tensing up her body and falling to the ground as responding agents attempted to restrain her.
They allege she continued to insult the female supervising agent with gender-based slurs and told other agents she hoped they would “die a painful death.”
Once restrained, the woman allegedly balked at the idea of being placed in a CBP vehicle, forcing the agents to carry her. While doing so, the supervising agent said the woman “went limp,” leading to the agents losing balance and falling.
While still handcuffed on the ground, investigators allege she began kicking her legs, with one kick striking the supervising agent in the face.
According to the affidavit, surveillance video reviewed by the FBI allegedly supports the agents’ version of events.
The woman, whom the supervising agent noted had urinated and defecated on herself during the struggle, was eventually placed in the vehicle.
She allegedly denied intentionally kicking the agent, but acknowledged it may have happened during her arrest. She also allegedly admitted to shouting obscenities.
According to KIRO 7, a U.S. judge found probable cause for charges of assault on a federal officer and improper entry into the U.S. on Jan. 1
According to The Canadian Press , she is due back in court later this month.
When contacted for comment, CBP referred National Post to the FBI’s Seattle office. National Post is awaiting a response.
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