Massena Man Sentenced for Alien Smuggling

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Peter Buckshot, age 28, of Massena, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years in federal prison for transporting aliens.

United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Buckshot admitted that on October 1, 2024, he picked up four aliens and citizens of Vietnam who had just illegally entered the United States from Canada. At approximately 12:00 p.m., the New York State Police attempted to stop Buckshot for speeding in Westville, N.Y. He did not pull over and attempted to evade the State Police. He led the State Police on a high-speed chase, during which he drove 80 miles per hour (mph) in a posted 30 mph zone and 100 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. At one point, Buckshot drove over a sidewalk to avoid police. He also failed to stop at a stop sign, drove on the road shoulders and unsafely passed other vehicles. Buckshot eventually crashed into a tree in Fort Covington, N.Y. No one was injured in the crash. The aliens were able to abscond on foot from the crash site but were caught soon thereafter.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered Buckshot to serve a 2-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. Buckshot has been in custody since his arrest on October 1, 2024.

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case.