Port Jefferson Station, NY - February 27, 2017 - Having pled guilty to one count of assault in the first degree, a 23 year old homeless man was sentenced to 17 years in state prison today for stabbing another un-domiciled man in an abandoned house in Port Jefferson Station last summer.

Alain Jean told police he confronted the victim, Joseph Panettiere, 23, because he believed Panettiere was spreading rumors about him.  On June 11, 2016, Jean shot the victim four times with a .22 caliber pistol leaving him seriously wounded.

In addition to sentencing the defendant, Judge Timothy Mazzei issued a permanent order of protection for the victim.

Be advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.