A Thomaston resident has pleaded guilty to assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent last summer.
Olivia Wilkins, 24, entered their plea Monday morning in U.S. District Court in Portland, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Wilkins was driving a 1997 Lexus with Texas plates on Route 17, near the intersection with West Washington Road, in the town of Washington on Aug. 27, when they came across a box truck crash. U.S. Border Patrol responded to the crash along with the Maine State Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The box truck’s four occupants were suspected of being in the United States illegally.
In an exchange with police, Wilkins raised concerns about Border Patrol’s presence, but when Wilkins was told to leave, they accelerated toward the agent, who was detaining an occupant of the box truck, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Wilkins stopped and veered away when a state trooper drew a gun.
Police pursued Wilkins, who eventually went off West Washington Road and was taken into custody.
A federal grand jury indicted Wilkins on an assault charge in October.
Wilkins faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
A judge will sentence Wilkins after consulting U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
