When 20-year-old James Ratliff was captured in Raleigh Tuesday and charged with first degree murder and armed robbery in what police describe as a drug-related shooting, it was not his first brush with the law.

According to state records, Tuesday’s arrest was his ninth, with eight of them coming in Richmond County.

Ratliff entered North Carolina’s criminal justice system with an assault charge in Anson County in 2007.

Until he was taken into the custody of the Richmond County Jail this week, Ratliff was in and out of court on charges of driving without a license and other moving violations, as well as one count of larceny.

Thus far in the George Cockman murder case, Ratliff faces six felony counts.

In the same year, Ratliff was charged in three separate incidents related to motor vehicle operation, including two charges of driving with a fictitious, canceled or revoked license plate, one count of driving while license revoked and one speeding violation.

In 2008, Ratliff faced charges in three separate incidents in Richmond County.

In that year, he was again charged twice with driving while license revoked, and received another speeding citation.

Ratliff was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor larceny in 2008.

It was not until the shooting of Cockman on July 14 that Ratliff was charged with a felony violation.

The day after the shooting, on July 15, Ratliff was taken into custody and charged with possession with intent to sell marijuana, maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for that purpose and the sale of marijuana.

Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees said he was already the subject in a drug investigation when the shooting took place, and questioned as a suspect shortly afterwards.

“... but it was determined at that time we didn’t have probable cause to make an arrest,” he said.

Ratliff was then initially put on a $200,000 bond, and only posted bond after that amount was reduced in district court.

Police investigations indicate Ratliff cut his hair and went to Raleigh in what may have been attempts to avoid arrest.

It was there he was taken into custody on Tuesday.

“They knew who he was right away,” Voorhees said of law enforcement in Raleigh.

Once delivered to authorities in Rockingham, Ratliff received three additional felony counts.

He was arraigned on charges of first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Voorhees Ratliff is currently in the Richmond County Jail without bond.

Voorhees said police have not ruled out additional suspects in the case.

“The investigation is on-going, and there is the possibility of more arrests in this case,” he said.