A convicted felon was arrested after allegedly possessing a rifle at a park in Leesburg.
Officers responded to a weapons complaint at John L. Johnson Park, 201 Mills St., around 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The complainant described two males, including 30-year-old Darrion Xavier Thomas, and a female in the area.
The female allegedly had a rifle and another firearm in her possession, and the males exited with her in front of an apartment. The group drove around the park in a silver Jeep SUV, the report said.
Upon arrival, the officers found the vehicle pulling into a spot at the park. They were all detained, and Thomas stated he did not know what the officers were referring to when he was informed of the situation, the report said.
The male driver advised that there was a rifle in the backseats of the RV and consented to an officer retrieving it. The rifle was indeed on the floorboard of the backseat, right where Thomas was seated. It had a loaded magazine, but no rounds in the chamber, the report said.
Thomas acknowledged the rifle was there in the backseats and added it was not his. A check of his criminal history determined he had a previous felony conviction from June 18, 2025, on his record. When an officer mentioned this to him, he stated he was not aware of the stipulation that he could not possess or be near a firearm, the report said.
He later stated he knew the firearm was in the backseat with him. It was put there by another occupant, but he believed he would not be in the backseat long, the report said.
Thomas was arrested on charge of possession of firearm/ammo by convicted felon. The New Jersey native was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $10,000 bond.