A Columbus man with a rap sheet was handed an 11-year prison sentence for assaulting a federal officer during an attempt to dodge arrest amid an armed drug trafficking investigation.
Christopher Upshaw, 24, known on the streets as "Trouble," received the hefty prison term on April 8 by U.S. District Judge Clay Land, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. He won't see the light of day outside of prison for at least 11 years, being ineligible for parole after pleading guilty earlier this year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Upshaw "acted with utter disregard for the lives and safety of others," during the startling incident.
It was a chaotic scene on Buxton Drive, Columbus last August when law enforcement converged on Upshaw's residence. A suspicious parcel from Northern California containing about 17 pounds of marijuana was traced to his doorstep. An ensemble of FBI, DEA, and local sheriffs kept eyes on the property. Upshaw pulled up, took the package, and chaos ensued as he attempted to flee from the authorities.
FBI agents and police officers, kitted out with body armor and badges, swarmed Upshaw's Dodge Charger. But, the situation quickly turned violent. Upshaw rammed into three law enforcement vehicles and, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, an FBI agent was dragged and injured in the process. The agent, who had tried to open the passenger side door of Upshaw's car, was hauled into another vehicle as Upshaw hit the gas.
The Columbus man eluded capture that day, discarding the package of marijuana as he fled. His freedom was short-lived, however, nabbed by authorities a few days later. Upshaw's criminal history is marked by previous felonies for drug possession and he currently stands accused of attempted murder in Alabama and resisting arrest in Florida. However, as standard legal process dictates, he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty for these allegations.
Federal agencies and local law enforcement collaborated on the investigation leading to Upshaw's arrest. The Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams was the force behind prosecuting the case that culminated in this week's sentencing.
