IFN Staff

A convicted felon faces gun and drug charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in southern Iredell County.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Chazman Antonio Houston, 38, of Oak Grove Road Statesville, in a news release on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy S. Zalepka, who is assigned to the ICSO Community Oriented Policing Unit, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Island Forest Lane in Mooresville on Monday.

After locating a white Cadillac Escalade matching the description of the suspect vehicle, deputies approached the vehicle and made contact with a male occupant, later identified as Houston, the sheriff said.

Deputy Zalepka immediately detected the odor of marijuana and observed a loaded Taurus G3 9mm handgun in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard, according to the news release.

When questioned about the firearm, Houston attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by deputies, Campbell said.

Houston, a convicted felon who is currently on probation, was found to be in possession of approximately 8.51 grams of cocaine, 10.60 grams of marijuana, and $193 in cash, according to the news release.

Deputy Zalepka transported Houston to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he appeared before Magistrate Callejas. Magistrate Callejas found probable cause for multiple charges, including Felony Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for Controlled Substances, three misdemeanor drug offenses and misdemeanor resisting an officer.

Houston was issued a secured bond of $50,000 on these charges.

Houston also had two outstanding warrants for Felony Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance, a misdemeanor drug offense, three misdemeanor probation violations, and misdemeanor driving while license revoked. Magistrate Callejas issued an additional $6,000 secured bond in connection with these outstanding charges.

According to the ICSO, the suspect’s criminal history includes the following charges: Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, five counts of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, four counts of Driving while License Revoked, Misdemeanor Assault Inflicting Serious Injury, Felony Assault Resulting in Physical Injury to a Probation or Parole Officer, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Sell Marijuana, and two counts of Felony Sell a Schedule I Controlled Substance.