Photo by the New York State Police

An Ellington resident is facing several charges after a reported domestic dispute led to the seizure of multiple unregistered firearms and high-capacity magazines.

Major D. Stearns was taken into custody Nov. 25 after troopers with the Jamestown police barracks responded that afternoon to a dispute on Waterman Road in the town of Ellington.

In a news release, the New York State Police said a verbal argument escalated in which Stearns choked another person. The 30-year-old also reportedly menaced the victim with a pistol.

Stearns was transported to the State Police barracks in Fredonia.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigation seized the unregistered firearms and high-capacity magazines.

Stearns is facing charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing, third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was committed to Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraigned.

Erie County Court, the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office and Poland Town Court assisted in the investigation.