BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Russian woman was arrested for assaulting a federal officer at the Peace Bridge, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced Friday.
If proven guilty, Olesia Sumina, 43-years-old, faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Henning, who is handling the case, Sumina was traveling with her two children to Canada to file an asylum claim.
The Canada Border Services Agency refused the claim and drove her to the Peace Bridge Point of Entry. During transport, she reportedly spit inside the vehicle and became increasingly difficult to work with.
Customs and Border Protection officers used a language translation app to try and interview Sumina, but they said it was unsuccessful.
The officers also added that she was reluctant to share personal information and was uncooperative.
It is reported that Sumina became aggressive toward the CBP officers when they attempted to take her cellphone. They said she "grabbed their shirts and scratched and dug into one officer’s wrists and left hand."
The officer who was injured received medical aid from a colleague, then went to the hospital for additional treatment.
