EXCLUSIVE: Livonia Woman Offered Plea Deal After Sheriff’s Safe Act Arrest

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — On Thursday a Livonia woman made a court appearance in response to her charges of two counts of felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Safe Act Violation.

Allegedly Miken Palmer was in possession of two semi-automatic weapons, one of which was a Spikes Tactical Semi-Auto Rifle with a magazine that violated the Safe Act.

The ordeal began on December 5th when a neighbor called authorities to complain about the firing of weapons. According to a December press release from Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Palmer was allegedly with Sean Janson a convicted felon whom was illegally in possession of a shotgun.  Investigator Josh Monster, whom handled the investigation,  determined that there were rifles inside the home that had ‘several modifications’ making them illegal to possess.

According to Livingston County First Assistant District Attorney, Victor Rowcliff the rifles were legally owned; however, the Sheriffs office charged her with the Safe Act Violation for there being illegal magazines.  Rowcliff stated that the weapons, which were confiscated by the Sheriffs Office, are to be destroyed.

Palmer, whom is being represented by local law firm Van Allen and Hoffmann LLP, is considering an offer of a guilty plea to one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree, a misdemeanor.

In a response to a request for comment the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office stated that they do not actively seek out Safe Act Violations and any arrests that they make stem from complaints.

The Safe Act underwent some amendments in 2013 and according to the official website:

• Suspending the requirement that only magazines that can contain 7 rounds or less can be purchased. Going forward, magazines can be purchased that can contain up to 10 rounds. Magazines may only contain up to 7 rounds regardless of their capacity, unless you are at an incorporated firing range or competition, in which case you may load your magazine to its full capacity.
• Clarifying that active law enforcement continues to be exempt from the prohibitions on the possession of high capacity magazines, assault weapons, and magazines containing more than 7 rounds, as well as the law prohibiting weapons on school grounds.
• Ensuring that local safe storage laws are not preempted by the SAFE Act.

 

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