Roanoke Valley law enforcement reported the following:

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy Scott Hall said on Monday around midnight Deputy Alex Wood was patrolling Highway 158 in Roanoke Rapids when he noticed a vehicle with only one headlight. 

Wood followed the vehicle to Church Street were the driver, Michael Ponton, 30, of Halifax, had turned.

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

Wood could reportedly smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia and an extended magazine for a Glock pistol while further investigation led to marijuana, crack, ecstasy and the pistol.

Ponton was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of schedule II, felony possession of schedule I, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a headlight violation.

He received a $75,000 bond and July 22 court date.

Ponton, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, had served slightly more than five years in prison for firing shots at his cousin in December of 2010.

He was convicted in 2011 of attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly with intent to kill and discharging a firearm into occupied property.

He was released in March of 2017 and his probation expired in August of 2017.

Roanoke Rapids Police Department

Investigative Sergeant G.L. Williams said police are seeking two people who stole a financial card on May 26 and used it to make a transaction at an undisclosed business.

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810, Investigator J. Shelburne at 252-533-2823, or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.