Richard A. Dominie, 22, of Lisbon, New York, and Brianna H. Rathbun, 19, of Massena, New York, have pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector.
According to court documents and statements made in connection with their pleas, on March 12, 2025 at approximately 9:45 p.m., Dominie was driving with Rathbun as a passenger on County Route 4 in Fort Covington, New York. A U.S. Border Patrol agent traveling west on the same road in an unmarked K9 vehicle attempted to pull them over after observing dangerous and reckless driving.
After activating emergency lights at the intersection of County Route 4 and State Route 95, the agent approached the vehicle. Dominie exited his car and aggressively approached the agent while he was still inside his unit. The agent identified himself as law enforcement and drew his service weapon when Dominie refused commands to get on the ground and pulled out a folding knife—though its blade was not extended. After being ordered to drop it several times by the armed agent, Dominie complied following intervention from Rathbun.
Both individuals then exited their vehicle again during the stop. When the agent tried to detain Dominie against his patrol unit by grabbing his shoulder, Dominie shrugged him off while Rathbun grabbed the agent’s right arm to pull him away from Dominie. During this encounter, a knife previously secured from Dominie fell to the ground; Rathbun picked it up before both returned to their vehicle—Rathbun now driving—and fled from law enforcement.
The pursuit ended only after they encountered a law enforcement checkpoint equipped with spike strips designed to deflate tires.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “The agent simply wanted to issue Dominie a warning to slow down but Dominie and Rathbun never gave him the chance. My office will not tolerate noncompliance of federal agents tasked with keeping this community safe. Anyone in this district who assaults or interferes with federal agents should expect to be prosecuted.”
Dominie's sentencing is set for November 6, 2025; Rathbun's is scheduled for December 23, 2025. Both face up to one year in jail and fines reaching $100,000 each upon sentencing by a judge considering statutory guidelines.
The case is under investigation by U.S. Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
