FELONY ARREST IN THE TOWN OF AVON

AVON - Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Schenectady resident on felony and misdemeanor charges following investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 13^th, 2026 at approximately 9:00 pm, Sheriff’s Investigator Shawn Whitford conducted a traffic stop on East Avon Lima Road in the Town of Avon after observing a violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Contact was made with the operator of the vehicle, who was identified as 62-year-old Peter Mertens of Schenectady NY.  During the roadside investigation, it was found that Mertens was operating while having a suspended NYS Driver’s License.  It was also found that Mertens was in possession of an illegal stun gun.

Investigator Whitford arrested Mertens and charged him with felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, misdemeanor Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree and violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Mertens was transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for arrest processing and pre-arraignment detention.  He was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Lima Justice Harris.  The Judge did release Mertens on his own recognizance, as the offenses do not qualify for bail under the NYS Bail Reform Act.The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Mertens at the court arraignment for his defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was also present to represent the People.