SYRACUSE, New York (WWNY) – A Copenhagen woman is accused of defying an officer at the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry and fleeing from law enforcement before crashing into a ditch.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday that it charged Maddesyn Jones, 22, with assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer engaged in the performance of official duties.
“In the Northern District of New York, we have zero tolerance for those who endanger federal officers by refusing lawful commands and fleeing from them,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John Sarcone in a statement. “As alleged, this defendant’s actions represent conduct that is unaligned with a nation of laws and Ms. Jones will be held accountable in the court of law.”
What court documents allege
According to court documents, Jones allegedly traveled north into Canada through the Landsdowne, Ontario, Port of Entry on June 21 and refused to stop for inspection at the border. Canadian Border Services agents issued an immigration warrant for Jones.
On June 24, the documents say that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry were notified that Jones failed to pay the bridge toll and was heading south toward the port of entry.
She allegedly failed to stop at the inspection booth at the port of entry and CBP officers tried to yell at her to stop, but she continued heading south towards Interstate 81.
Chase and crash
Court papers say that CBP officers arranged their vehicles in an effort to stop Jones, but she turned her car around and headed north. As she was driving, the documents say a CBP vehicle drove up next to her and she turned around again, heading south.
Multiple CBP vehicles were now involved in the chase and documents say they deployed devices to deflate Jones’ tires. The court papers say Jones was stopped and refused to obey commands to turn off the engine and get out of the car.
An officer broke the window and reached in to remove Jones, when documents say she “began to drive in reverse, nearly crushing the CBPO’s legs between Jones’s vehicle and a CBP Government Vehicle. The CBPO quickly slid his body onto the hood of the two vehicles to avoid leg injuries, and as Jones drove forward, the CBPO removed his arms from the interior of JONES’s vehicle. As he did so, his hands and arms were cut by the broken glass. JONES fled the inspection area at a high rate of speed, leaving tire traction marks on the pavement.”
Jones allegedly headed south at a high rate of speed, about 130 miles per hour, as officers followed her. Documents say she lost control and crashed into a ditch off Interstate 81.
She and the CBP officer were taken to the hospital for treatment. Court papers say the officer required stitches for multiple cuts.
Charges and potential sentence
Jones was arraigned on June 25 in federal court in Syracuse.
“The brazen assault, resistance, and obstruction alleged in this complaint strike at the heart of the rule of law at our border. HSI Syracuse, working alongside our law enforcement partners, remains relentless in defending our officers, securing our ports of entry, and ensuring that those who threaten the safety and integrity of our border are brought to justice,” said HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone.
The charge filed against Jones carries a maximum sentence of 8 years in prison, a maximum term of supervised release of 3 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.