Gunshots Point to Multiple Illegal Rifles in Livonia House

LIVONIA – The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people for allegedly possessing illegal rifles after deputies heard gunshots while investigating a neighbor dispute.

According to a press release from Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Sean Janson, 45, was arrested for a misdemeanor Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree and Miken Palmer, 35, was arrested for two counts of felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.

On Dec. 5 at approximately 3:40 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence on Livonia Center Road for a neighbor dispute where a person was allegedly yelling obscenities obscenities at a neighbor. While the deputies were interviewing the caller, gunshots were heard coming from the neighbor’s house. Deputies then responded to the neighbor’s to investigate the gunshots, as the residence they were shooting from was less than 500 feet from other homes, which is a violation of NYS law.

The investigation revealed that Janson and Palmer were in possession of several rifles. It was found that Janson had a prior felony conviction and cannot legally possess any firearm, and that two of the rifles had ‘several modifications’ that made them illegal to possess.

The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division reviewed the evidence to choose appropriate charges. On Dec. 21, deputies arrested Janson and Palmer.

The investigation was handled by Sheriff’s Office Investigator Josh Monster, Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandan Flickner, and Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Donals and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation officer Brian Wade.

Janson was scheduled for an appearance in Livonia Town Court. Palmer was taken into custody and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention due to the charge being a felony.

Livonia Town Justice Margaret Graf-Linsner arraigned Palmer. The District Attorney’s Office recommended bail on the matter at $1,500 cash or $3,000 bond. Linsner ordered Palmer held at the Livingston County Jail on $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond.