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.
Dominie entered his plea on July 3, 2025; Rathbun pled guilty on August 29, 2025.
According to court documents and admissions as part of their pleas, the incident occurred 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 in what authorities described as a dangerous and reckless manner. A U.S. Border Patrol agent traveling west on the same road in an unmarked K9 vehicle activated emergency lights at the intersection with State Route 95 to pull them over.
The agent reported that after stopping the vehicle, Dominie exited and approached him aggressively while he was still inside his unit. The agent then got out and identified himself as law enforcement before drawing his service weapon and ordering Dominie to the ground. Dominie refused compliance and pulled a folding knife from his pocket without extending the blade. After being ordered to drop it at gunpoint, Dominie complied following encouragement from Rathbun.
Both individuals left their vehicle again shortly thereafter. When the agent attempted to detain Dominie by placing him against his patrol unit, Dominie resisted and shrugged off the attempt. Rathbun intervened by grabbing the agent’s right arm and pulling him away from Dominie. During this struggle, the agent dropped the secured knife; Rathbun picked it up before both re-entered their vehicle—Rathbun now driving—and fled from the scene.
A pursuit ensued involving another marked Border Patrol unit until Rathbun stopped upon reaching a law enforcement checkpoint equipped with spike strips.
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 set for November 6, 2025; for Rathbun it is scheduled for December 23, 2025. Each faces up to one year in jail and a fine up to $100,000 upon sentencing. Sentences will be determined by a judge according to relevant statutes and guidelines.
The case is under investigation by U.S. Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer.
