Richard A. Dominie, 22, of Lisbon, New York, and Brianna H. Rathbun, 19, of Massena, New York, have each pleaded guilty to 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 about 9:45 p.m., Dominie was driving with Rathbun as a passenger on County Route 4 in Fort Covington in a reckless manner. A United States Border Patrol agent traveling in an unmarked K9 vehicle caught up to them at the intersection of County Route 4 and State Route 95 and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.
Dominie exited his vehicle and approached the agent aggressively while the agent remained inside his vehicle. After identifying himself as law enforcement and drawing his service weapon, the agent ordered Dominie to the ground. Dominie refused but dropped a folding knife after being ordered to do so. He returned to his vehicle following instructions from Rathbun.
Both individuals exited their vehicle again during the encounter. The agent attempted to restrain Dominie against his patrol unit but was shrugged off; Rathbun then grabbed the agent’s right arm and pulled him away from Dominie. As the altercation continued, Rathbun retrieved a knife that had fallen during the struggle before both she and Dominie re-entered their vehicle and drove away from the scene.
The pair were pursued by Border Patrol agents until they encountered a law enforcement checkpoint equipped with spike strips that brought their vehicle to a stop.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “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.”
Sentencing for Dominie is scheduled for November 6, 2025; Rathbun is set for sentencing on December 23, 2025. Each faces up to one year in jail and fines up to $100,000. Sentences will be determined by a judge based on statutory guidelines.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated this case; Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer is prosecuting.
