PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – In a shocking turn of events, Richard A. Dominie, 22, and Brianna H. Rathbun, 19, have both entered guilty pleas for assaulting a federal Border Patrol agent. The incident occurred on County Route 4 in Fort Covington.
According to authorities, the pair was driving recklessly when they were flagged down by a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Dominie exited the vehicle and confronted the agent, leading to a tense situation that escalated into an assault. Both defendants are now facing serious charges for their actions.
The incident began on March 12, 2025, at around 9:45 p.m., when Dominie was driving with Rathbun as his passenger. The agent, traveling in an unmarked vehicle, attempted to pull the car over at the intersection of County Route 4 and State Route 95.
Despite being ordered to the ground, Dominie pulled a knife from his pocket. After securing the weapon, he returned to his vehicle only after Rathbun instructed him to do so. The couple then fled the scene in their vehicle, leading to a high-speed chase that ended when they encountered spike strips at a law enforcement checkpoint.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “My office will not tolerate noncompliance of federal agents tasked with keeping this community safe.” Dominie and Rathbun are scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025, and December 23, 2025, respectively.
Both face up to one year in jail and a fine of $100,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer, who will seek maximum penalties for the defendants. The U.S. Border Patrol continues its investigation into this violent encounter.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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