SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that charges were filed late yesterday against a Shohola, Pennsylvania man resulting from his attempt to avoid being stopped by Park Rangers at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The indictment by a grand jury in Scranton charges that Matthew J. Wojciechowski, age 24, while operating a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle within the National Recreation Area, willfully failed to stop, and attempted to elude a pursuing police officer by engaging in a high speed chase, and endangered a law enforcement officer and members of the general public by doing so.     

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the incident occurred on July 6, 2015, when a Park Ranger observed Wojciechowski allegedly speeding while driving his motorcycle on Route 209 within that National Recreation Area.  When the Ranger attempted to stop Wojciechowski by activating his lights and siren, Wojciechowski allegedly sped away traveling more than 10 miles, at times in excess of 100 miles an hour, before losing control of the motorcycle and crashing. The indictment alleges Wojciechowski put an officer and the general public at risk through his alleged actions. However, fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the incident.

The investigation was conducted by the National Park Service and prosecution is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is a 7 year term of imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.                 

 

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