BANGOR — A 40-year-old man accused of crossing the border illegally to escape pending assault charges in Canada is being held temporarily without bail, according to court documents.
Scott Gallant, 40, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, was arrested Feb. 2 at Dysart’s Truck Stop in Hermon and charged with eluding examination or inspection.
He made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Bangor the next day. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Nivison ordered that Gallant be held until a bail hearing can be held Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Gallant’s arrest was the result of information conveyed Feb. 2 to Border Patrol agents at the Houlton border crossing by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to the complaint. The information relayed to American officials was that Gallant would cross the border near Houlton on Feb. 2 and be picked up by his mother, who has not been charged, driving a champagne-colored Dodge Journey.
Customs and Border Patrol Agents followed the vehicle driven by a woman with three juvenile passengers heading south on Interstate 95 for more than two hours until she drove into the parking lot of Dysart’s, the complaint said. After about an hour, the woman and the juveniles came out of the restaurant. The woman got into the back seat and a man matching Gallant’s description got into the driver’s seat.
A few minutes later, the agents stopped the car, the complaint said. Gallant told them he had come into the U.S. at the Houlton border crossing but a records check showed no recent crossing history for him.
Gallant was arrested and taken to the Houlton Border Patrol Station for processing. He allegedly confessed to crossing the border in a minivan about noon Feb. 2 at the Houlton border crossing with friends who did not know he was prohibited from entering the U.S.
Gallant “admitted to lying down in the back seat of the minivan to avoid inspect,” the complaint said.
Gallant allegedly told agents that he called family members and told them he had crossed the border without being caught. He arranged for his mother to meet him at Dysart’s.
If convicted, Gallant faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
