Richard A. Dominie, Assaulting a Federal Agent, New York 2025

A St. Lawrence County couple is facing prison time after pleading guilty to assaulting a federal agent during a traffic stop in Fort Covington, New York.

Richard A. Dominie, age 22, of Lisbon, New York, and Brianna H. Rathbun, age 19, of Massena, New York, each pled guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers. The charges stem from a March 12, 2025, incident where a United States Border Patrol agent pulled over Dominie's vehicle for reckless driving.

According to the plea agreement, Dominie exited the vehicle and approached the agent aggressively. The agent drew his service weapon and ordered Dominie to the ground. Dominie refused and pulled a folding knife from his pocket. The agent demanded Dominie drop the knife, which he eventually did.

However, Rathbun intervened, grabbing the agent's arm and pulling him away from Dominie. The agent then reached for Dominie with his left hand, causing the knife to fall to the ground. Rathbun retrieved the knife and the pair drove away from the scene.

The agent pursued the vehicle and eventually stopped it with the aid of a law enforcement checkpoint with spike strips. Dominie and Rathbun face up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

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.'

Dominie is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025, and Rathbun on December 23, 2025.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/st-lawrence-county-couple-pleads-guilty-assaulting-and-interfering-federal-agent