U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Olesia Sumina, a 43-year-old Russian national, has pleaded guilty to resisting a federal immigration officer. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge McCarthy, and Sumina was sentenced to time served.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Henning provided details of the case, stating that on October 9, 2024, Sumina traveled to Canada with her two children to seek asylum. Her claim was denied by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), leading to her transfer to the Peace Bridge Point of Entry by CBSA officers. During transport, Sumina reportedly became difficult and spat inside the vehicle.
Upon arrival at the border entry point, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers attempted to interview Sumina using a language translation application but faced challenges due to her uncooperative behavior and reluctance to share personal information. When officers tried to access her cell phone for further investigation, she resisted by grabbing the phone and putting it in her pocket. Attempts by CBP officers to retrieve the phone resulted in aggressive resistance from Sumina.
The investigation leading up to Sumina's plea and sentencing involved Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy's leadership and Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.