Clermont man charged with Reckless Endangerment

Clermont, New York – On July 27, 2015, New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Livingston barracks arrested John A. Southard, Jr., 25 years old, of Clermont, New York, for Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, a Class D Felony and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

At approximately 8:57 p.m., Troopers responded to the area of County Route 8 and Route 9 for a report of shots heard.  The calling party reported that he heard a gunshot immediately followed by the sound of glass breaking in his home.  Subsequent investigation revealed that Southard had discharged a round from a 12-gauge shotgun and inadvertently stuck the victim’s home.  No injuries were reported to police during this investigation.

A criminal history revealed that Southard is not permitted to possess firearms due to a previous unrelated felony conviction.

Southard was arraigned in the Town of Livingston Court and remanded to Columbia County Jail without bail.