By JIMMY LAWTON
WADDINGTON -- An Ogdensburg woman and Lisbon Central School graduate studying criminal justice at SUNY Canton was tackled and Tased by border agents following a confrontation at a Waddington immigration checkpoint that was captured on video.
Jess Cooke, 21, said she was pulled in for a secondary inspection after agents said she appeared nervous at the checkpoint. Cooke said she refused a search of her trunk and was asked to wait for a K-9 Unit to arrive.
A conversation with officers escalated and she was tackled and Tased after she resisted an agent who had grabbed her after she refused to comply with a request for her move.
“I was cuffed for over an hour after being out in the Border Patrol car and then brought to the U.S. Customs station in Ogdensburg. I sat there for a good 3-4 hours and got sent home due to they couldn't figure out what charges to put on me,” Cooke said in a written response.
Cooke said she received scrapes and cuts on her legs, back and chest. She said her wrists are also marked from the handcuffs.
Cooke said her car was searched and found to be clean, but she is awaiting potential charges regarding the struggle.
Cooke said she has a two-year degree in criminal justice will graduate Saturday from SUNY Canton for law enforcement leadership with a four-year degree.
Cooke said she had hoped to pursue a career in the Border Patrol, but the incident has changed her mind.
NorthCountryNow.com has reached out to the U.S. Border Patrol for comment on the incident, but has not yet received a response.
Cooke captured the incident on video, which can be seen here.
