Buffalo Man Going To Prison For Speeding Through Lewiston Border Crossing In A Stolen Car

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Raison Holt, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of high speed flight from a border checkpoint, was sentenced to serve 20 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who handled 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 sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations.

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