The following was taken from a press release distributed by the United States Attorney’s Office – Middle District of Georgia on April 9, 2024:
MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. – A Columbus resident with prior felony convictions was sentenced to serve more than 11 years in prison today for injuring a federal officer as he attempted to flee arrest during an investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community.
Christopher Upshaw aka “Trouble,” 24, was sentenced to serve 136 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on April 8. Upshaw pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon on Jan. 23. Upshaw is not eligible for parole.
“Chris Upshaw acted with utter disregard for the lives and safety of others when he injured law enforcement and endangered community members during his frantic flight,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Ultimately, Upshaw couldn’t evade justice, thanks to the tireless efforts of the FBI and others to hold him accountable.”
“This case shows the risk law enforcement officers face on a daily basis” said FBI Atlanta’s Columbus Resident Agency Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Rich Bilson. “Upshaw violently assaulted both our Task Force Officer and a Special Agent. The FBI stands ready to investigate any crimes against officers. More than anything, we are thankful that the injuries were not more severe, and that this incident did not result in a loss of life.”
According to court documents and the plea agreement, authorities identified a suspicious package from Northern California that was addressed to Upshaw’s residence on Buxton Drive in Columbus; it was set for delivery on Aug. 4, 2023. Upshaw was wanted on outstanding warrants at the time.
FBI, DEA, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Coweta County Sheriff’s Office members conducted physical surveillance at Buxton Drive on Aug. 4. The suspicious parcel was delivered at 3:30 p.m. and left on the front porch.
The defendant drove up in his Dodge Charger approximately 30 minutes later to retrieve the package, which he put inside his vehicle and then entered the driver’s side. At this time, multiple unmarked law enforcement vehicles with at least one flashing its emergency lights approached Upshaw.
Law enforcement officers and federal agents—all of whom were wearing agency issued body armor equipped with law enforcement insignia—exited their vehicles and advanced towards Upshaw’s car in an attempt to arrest him. Upshaw began forcibly operating his vehicle in an effort to evade arrest.
FBI Special Agent (SA) M.M. attempted to open the passenger side door. Rather than complying with law enforcement’s demands to stop, Upshaw accelerated instead.
Simultaneously, as a result of the vehicle’s acceleration, FBI SA M.M. was unable to release the passenger door handle and was forcibly pulled into a nearby stationary vehicle. Upshaw also struck and damaged three occupied law enforcement vehicles. Other members of law enforcement were injured on scene.
Upshaw sped away at a high rate of speed through the residential area and escaped but was captured several days later. During his flight from law enforcement, he discarded the suspicious package which was recovered by agents and contained approximately 17 pounds of marijuana divided into 14 bags.
Upshaw has prior felony convictions for drug possession in Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court. Upshaw is charged with attempted murder in Phenix City, Alabama, and is wanted for resisting arrest in Miami, Florida. These charges in Alabama and Florida are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by FBI, DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams prosecuted the case.