A. Clifford Brown Franklin County Detention Center photo

MADRID TOWNSHIP — A local man is accused of firing a handgun into the air Sunday after a man confronted him about a bear baiting site.

A. Clifford Brown, 66, was arrested at his house on Center Road on a charge of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and taken to the Franklin County Detention Center in Farmington, according to Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr.

Brown was released Monday on $1,500 cash bail.

Franklin County Deputy Alan Elmes and Sgt. Brad Scovil investigated a disturbance involving gunfire about 11:50 a.m. on Center Road. A man went to Brown’s house to confront him about the baiting site, according to the sheriff.

“The discussion became heated to the point where the suspect fired a handgun into the air in front of the complainant,” according to Nichols.

A conviction for criminal threatening is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.