Man Who Fled Agents At Canada Border Faces Federal Charge

PORT HURON (WWJ) - A motorist who tried, and failed, to outrun Customs and Border Protection officers is being charged with a federal crime.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Eric Carter was wearing a bullet proof vest when he fled a checkpoint at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

In an affidavit, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Matthew Sabo says Carter made a wrong turn early Tuesday morning and accidentally entered the expressway from Michigan into Canada.

When he turned around to try to enter the U.S., through a lane staffed by CBP officers, Carter's passenger was screened and found to have outstanding warrants in Macomb County.

When Carter was instructed to turn into a secondary checkpoint, he suddenly drove off, Sabo said, leading officers on a high-speed chase for along I-94 that lasted eight miles before his car was stopped near St. Clair.

Agents found a loaded handgun, cash, and marijuana in the car.

Carter is charged with charge of fleeing and evading a checkpoint operated by Immigration and Naturalization Service or other federal law enforcement agency in a motor vehicle.

His passenger, a woman, was not federally charged.  Her name has not been released.

Other criminal charges could be filed, depending an investigation, which is ongoing.

No one was injured in the chase.