19-Year-Old Admits Dragging Trooper 200 Yards On ATV While Fleeing In Capital Region

Years in prison await a 19-year-old man who confessed to dragging a New York State Police trooper on his ATV while attempting to flee.

Rensselaer County resident Joseph Dominy, of Sand Lake, pleaded guilty to assault in Rensselaer County Court on Friday, May 31.

According to prosecutors, State Police stopped Dominy at around 5 p.m. Friday, March 1, for illegally operating his ATV on Johnny Cake Lane in Sand Lake.

• Earlier Report: 19-Year-Old ATVer Drags Trooper 200 Yards While Fleeing In Capital Region, Police Say

He quickly became combative with the trooper before attempting to drive away, dragging the trooper for nearly 200 yards, prosecutors said. The trooper became trapped under the ATV and suffered a broken ankle.

Troopers eventually located the ATV hidden on Dominy’s property and arrested him. The dragging incident was reportedly captured on the officer'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,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf.

“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.”

Dominy is expected to be sentenced to seven years in prison on Saturday, Aug. 10.