A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle cocaine through a Border Patrol checkpoint near Kingsville, Texas. Christopher Seabrook, aged 50, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine on November 22, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos ordered Seabrook to serve the prison term followed by five years of supervised release. During the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented detailing how Seabrook fled from the checkpoint and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase. Judge Ramos highlighted that fleeing from the checkpoint increased the potential danger of Seabrook's offense.
The incident occurred on July 25, 2024, when Seabrook approached the checkpoint in a Chrysler sedan with two passengers. Upon initial inspection, he fled and initiated a chase reaching speeds up to 125 miles per hour. Authorities stopped the vehicle by puncturing its tires; Seabrook then attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended. A search of his vehicle revealed ten bundles of cocaine weighing 9.8 kilograms hidden in the rear panels.
"High-speed flight by smugglers or human traffickers represents a significant threat to public safety," stated U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. "Thankfully, the quick action of law enforcement allowed for the apprehension of Mr. Seabrook without injury to the public, officers, or the defendant himself."
Law enforcement estimated that the narcotics had a street value of $210,000.
Seabrook remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Texas Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Pruitt prosecuted the case.