Jamaican Native Pleads Guilty To Assaulting A Federal Officer

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Seymour Ellis, 43, most recently of Queens, NY, pleaded guilty to assault of a federal officer, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.  

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Counihan, who is handling the case, stated that in April 2015, the defendant, while in custody at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, NY, attacked and assaulted a detention officer. Ellis was awaiting removal from the United States to Jamaica. The defendant lost his permanent resident status because of New York State narcotics trafficking, robbery, and theft convictions.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Special Agent in Michael Phillips.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Geraci.