Citizen Of Ghana Sentenced For Assaulting A Federal Officer And Possessing Marijuana

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nana Dwomah Yeboah, 36, a citizen of the Republic of Ghana, who was convicted of assaulting a federal officer and possession of a controlled substance, was sentenced to serve 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that on the morning of December 24, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers were conducting a routine patrol of the Greyhound Bus Station on Cumberland Street in Rochester. Officers observed the defendant enter the bus station and place a package on a bench in the lobby area. Yeboah then exited the station, leaving the package unattended.  After several minutes, officers searched the abandoned package to ensure that it did not pose a threat to the public. Inside, officers discovered a quantity of marijuana that appeared to be packaged for sale.

After several minutes, the defendant returned to the area and was questioned by officers, who quickly determined that he was not a U.S. Citizen. As they attempted to detain and identify Yeboah, he fled the station, leading officers on a short chase. Yeboah was ultimately apprehended, but proceeded to fight with officers for several minutes. One of the officers suffered facial injuries that required treatment at Rochester General Hospital. The defendant was ultimately brought under control with the assistance of civilian bystanders. Subsequent investigation determined that Yeboah was in possession of an additional quantity of marijuana.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Vance Kuhner; with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Chief Eduardo Payan; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary.