RICHMOND COUNTY — A convicted felon faces multiple criminal charges following a reported speeding incident in Richmond County.
According to court records, Leon Malik Zeigler, 28, of Hamlet, was stopped Jan. 5 after allegedly driving 51 mph in a 35 mph zone on Airport Road. The arrest warrant states Zeigler refused to stop and was driving with a revoked license.
Court documents indicate Zeigler owned the vehicle but did not have insurance, and the license plate had been revoked. He was also cited for driving left of center.
According to the arrest warrant, deputies found a Taurus 9mm handgun inside the vehicle, along with an open container of alcohol, located in the passenger area of the vehicle, and two digital scales. Records show Zeigler was previously convicted in 2022 of possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded guilty in 2023 in Richmond County Superior Court and has a total of four prior felony convictions.
Zeigler is charged with two felony counts: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.
He also faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including speeding, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving with a revoked license, operating a vehicle with a revoked or canceled registration, failing to heed a light or siren, resisting a public officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the arrest warrant, Zeigler failed to comply with deputies’ commands by not showing his hands, refusing to place his hands behind his back and pulling away during the arrest.
Zeigler was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $27,500 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 22.