A Canadian woman is confronting serious charges in the United States following an incident in late December where she allegedly crossed the international border illegally and injured a U.S. border patrol agent during her arrest.
Attempted Entry and Denial at the Port of Entry
The sequence of events began on December 30, according to an FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for Washington's western district. The woman first attempted to enter the United States through the official Peace Arch port of entry, which connects Surrey, British Columbia, with Blaine, Washington.
During that initial inspection, she disclosed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers that she was in possession of a marijuana vape pen. Despite cannabis being legal in both Canada and Washington state, it remains a federal offence to bring any cannabis products across the U.S. border. Consequently, she was denied entry.
Alleged Illegal Crossing and Violent Arrest
Several hours after being turned away, the woman allegedly went to the nearby Peace Arch Historical State Park. The park is marked by a deep culvert, concrete barriers, and signs warning that crossing the international boundary will result in arrest. Prosecutors allege she crossed into a grassy area on the park's north side, entering the United States illegally.
CBP agents located her in the park and attempted to detain her. An affidavit states she became uncooperative, ignoring commands and shouting obscenities. When a supervisor arrived, the woman was described as "hysterical". As agents tried to place her under arrest, she allegedly resisted by tensing her body, falling to the ground, and hurling gender-based insults and wishes for a painful death at the officers.
The situation escalated when agents attempted to carry the handcuffed woman to a vehicle after she refused to walk. The supervisor stated the woman "went limp," causing the agents to lose balance and fall. While on the ground and still restrained, she allegedly began kicking her legs, with one kick striking the female supervising agent in the face.
Motivation and Legal Consequences
While in custody at a CBP facility, the woman told investigators she was attempting to enter the United States to retrieve her dog from her fiancé, who lives in Washington state. The FBI affidavit notes that surveillance video from the scene appears to support the agents' account of the violent struggle.
The incident resulted in the injury of the border agent and left the woman facing U.S. federal charges for the illegal entry and the alleged assault. The affidavit also noted that during the physical confrontation, the woman had urinated and defecated on herself.
This case highlights the severe legal repercussions of attempting to cross the U.S.-Canada border outside designated ports of entry, regardless of the reason, and the strict federal laws governing cannabis at the border, even between two jurisdictions where it is legal.
