Cocaine Smuggler who Led Law Enforcement on High-Speed Chase Sentenced to Decade in Federal Prison
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, man has been ordered to prison for attempting to smuggle cocaine through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Kingsville, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Christopher Seabrook pleaded guilty Nov. 22, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos has now ordered him to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard evidence describing how Seabrook fled from the checkpoint and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos noted how the flight from the checkpoint made Seabrook’s offense potentially more dangerous.
On July 25, 2024, Seabrook approached the checkpoint near Kingsville while driving a Chrysler sedan with two people as passengers. Upon initial inspection, Seabrook soon fled and led law enforcement on a chase reaching speeds up to 125 miles per hour.
Authorities brought the vehicle to a stop by puncturing its tires, at which time Seabrook tried to flee on foot. Following his apprehension and subsequent search of his vehicle, law enforcement found 10 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,” said 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 estimates the narcotics had a street value of $210,000.
Seabrook has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
BP and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Pruitt prosecuted the case.
