ALBANY, NY – A late-night joyride on the St. Lawrence River nearly turned deadly. Abraham C. Lazore, 37, of Hogansburg, New York, confessed in federal court Friday to intentionally obstructing a boarding by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The incident, which occurred September 3, 2016, could have easily resulted in an agent being thrown overboard, according to court documents.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Richard S. Hartunian, and Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer announced the guilty plea. Agents initially flagged Lazore’s vessel for operating without navigation lights as it crossed the border from Canada into U.S. waters around 12:25 a.m. What followed was a blatant attempt to evade inspection, according to the prosecution.
Lazore, rather than cooperate with the routine inspection, allegedly slammed the throttle forward as agents attempted to board. A bowline from his boat became dangerously entangled around the arm of one agent, threatening to drag them into the frigid waters of the St. Lawrence. Only the quick reaction of a second agent prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome. Thankfully, no one sustained injuries, but the intent was clear: obstruction and potential assault.
The brazen act now carries serious consequences. Lazore is looking at a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a hefty fine of up to $250,000, and a potential three-year term of supervised release following incarceration. The final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on February 3, 2017, factoring in federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case.
Investigators with the United States Border Patrol meticulously built the case against Lazore. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer is prosecuting the matter, determined to see justice served for the endangered agent and a clear message sent: obstructing federal officers is a serious federal offense. The St. Lawrence River is a known corridor for cross-border activity, and the Border Patrol will continue to aggressively monitor and investigate any attempts to circumvent the law.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by federal law enforcement officers patrolling our nation’s borders. While the details are still unfolding, the facts presented paint a picture of reckless disregard for human life and a deliberate attempt to evade the authorities. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves towards sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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