ROCKINGHAM — Two men are facing weapons charges following a traffic stop allegedly for non-working lights.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a patrol deputy stopped a Dodge Charger with no taillightsFriday, Oct. 7 on County Home Road.
The deputy reportedly identified the driver as 24-year-old Leon Malik Zeigler and the passenger as 25-year-old Thomas Jaree Bloomfield.
Zeigler reportedly had an outstanding order for arrest and a suspended license.
A deputy reportedly noticed a handgun under Zeigler’s seat when the driver was asked to step out.
Bloomfield was also asked to get out of the car and deputies reportedly saw that he had been sitting on a handgun.
Zeigler was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed gun, and served with the OFA. He was booked into the Richmond County Jail on a $20,000 secured bond.
Bloomfield was charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana and carrying a concealed gun and given a $500 secured bond.
Online court records show Zeigler was also cited for driving while license revoked, a rear lamps violation.
Both are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 20.
Records also show Zeigler had an appearance in superior court Monday on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Zeigler also has a Nov. 11 court date on traffic violations.
Bloomfield has a pending charge of assault on a female from 2021, records show.
Zeigler was convicted in 2018 of committing a crime against nature, a felony, according to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction.
Bloomfield was convicted of felony breaking and entering in 2013.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
