Troy, NY -- Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced today that Joseph Dominy, 19 of Sand Lake NY, has pled guilty before the Honorable Jennifer G. Sober in Rensselaer County Court. The defendant pled to Assault in the Second Degree in violation of Penal Law Section 120.05(3), a Class D violent felony. The defendant will receive a sentence of 7 years in state prison followed by 3 years of post-release supervision.
On March 1, 2024 at approximately 4:55pm, members of the NYSP stopped an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) illegally operating in the area of Johnny Cake Lane in Sand Lake New York. The operator was uncooperative and verbally combative with the investigating Troopers and began to flee from the area of the stop. The Trooper was dragged by the ATV for approximately 200 yards and became entrapped under the vehicle, which Dominy continued to operate in an attempt to flee the area. Ultimately, the Trooper suffered a serious but non-life-threatening injury to their lower extremity which required surgery. Based on a quick response from the New York State Police, the ATV was located secreted on a property and Dominy was ultimately located and arrested. The incident was captured on the injured trooper’s body worn camera.
“The injury sustained by this New York State Police member was completely avoidable. Instead of stepping off of his ATV and receiving citations for the observed violations of New York State Law, Dominy instead attempted to flee the area while dragging the Trooper at a high rate of speed. At one point, while the Trooper was entrapped within the moving ATV, Dominy stopped, but then proceeded to drag the entrapped Trooper for an extended distance before the Trooper was able to free himself. The Trooper sustained a broken ankle that required surgery as a result of the defendant’s actions. We would like to thank the New York State Police for conducting a thorough investigation and wish the injured trooper a speedy and full recovery,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf.
Dominy is scheduled for sentencing in Rensselaer County Court before the Honorable Jennifer G. Sober on August 30, 2024. The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf.