Watertown Woman Convicted of Assaulting Federal Officer

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A jury voted yesterday to convict Catherine M. Melhuish, age 34, of Watertown, New York, of assaulting a federal officer in St. Lawrence County, following a 4-day trial.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and William Maddocks, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said: “Today’s conviction demonstrates our commitment to enforcing federal laws that protect those who protect and serve our country and communities, such as the U.S. Border Patrol Agent assaulted by the defendant.”

U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent William Maddocks stated: “Swanton Sector appreciates the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York in their diligent prosecution of this case. This conviction shows that assaults on law enforcement will not be tolerated.”

Melhuish, a lawful permanent resident of the United States and citizen of Canada, assaulted a Border Patrol Agent at approximately 1 a.m. on September 18, 2017.  The agent encountered Melhuish while responding to a request from the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, which had been contacted by members of the public about a woman wearing dark clothing and walking on State Route 37 near the United States/Canada border.

As part of the agent’s investigative stop, he asked Melhuish for her identification, which she agreed to provide.  The agent touched Melhuish’s hand when he reached out to steady the identification so he could read the information off of it.  Melhuish became agitated, spit in the agent’s face and bit the agent’s hand.

Melhuish will be sentenced on February 19 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. 

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.