A 24-year-old Thomaston woman was indicted Oct. 22 by a federal grand jury on a charge that she assaulted a Border Patrol agent during that agency’s investigation of a car crash in the town of Washington.
The Border Patrol later claimed the four occupants of a box truck involved in the crash were in the United States illegally.
Olivia Wilkins was indicted on a single count of felony assault. The indictment alleges that she intentionally assaulted a Border Patrol agent by interfering and impeding the agent with the use of a dangerous weapon.
Wilkins is scheduled for an initial appearance and arraignment on the charge on Nov. 7 in the U.S. District Court in Portland.
The charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Maximum sentences are rarely imposed, particularly for a first time offense if a person is convicted.
The charge stems from an incident on Aug. 25 on Route 17 in Washington when a box truck crashed.
According to police, Wilkins was the driver of a 1997 Lexus with Texas plates that stopped by the crash scene. Wilkins was told to leave and that they could not stop Border Patrol from doing its job. The car then squealed its tires and police said the vehicle was headed toward a Border Patrol agent and state trooper and was trying to run them over.
The trooper said he drew his firearm and pointed at the driver who then swerved their vehicle.
Wilkins allegedly drove away and was pursued by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and State Police. The chase ended when the Lexus went off the road around 571 West Washington Road. Wilkins was taken into custody.
She was charged by the district attorney’s office. Those charges will be dismissed now that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed the separate federal charge.
The federal court website does not list an attorney for Wilkins. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Brostowin is listed as the prosecutor.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
