IFN Staff

A convicted felon faces weapons charges after Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies found numerous firearms in his home after responding to a report of a breaking and entering at the residence.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Anthony Leroy Wellman, 58, of Watermelon Road, Statesville, in a social media post.

Wellman reported a breaking and entering at his residence to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office on March 17. He told deputies that a suspect forcibly entered his safe and stole a substantial amount of cash stored inside, Campbell said. The investigation into the theft remains ongoing.

During the investigation, deputies observed multiple firearms inside the residence and determined they were owned by Wellman, according to the sheriff.

As a convicted felon, Wellman is prohibited from possessing firearms. His criminal history includes a charge of being a habitual impaired driver, which is a felony.

Investigators determined that Wellman knowingly possessed firearms despite being aware that it was unlawful for him to do so, Campbell said.

\When deputies attempted to confiscate the firearms, Wellman became uncooperative and was detained, he added.

ICSO personnel subsequently executed a search warrant at Wellman’s residence and seized multiple firearms, ammunition, firearms accessories, and a weapon of mass destruction.

Wellman was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

The suspect was released after posting a $50,000 bond.