FORT WALTON BEACH — A local man faces several felony charges after Fort Walton Beach Police responded to a report of a firearm at a gas station on Tuesday. According to a statement from the department, 24-year-old Tiquan Ballard has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among other offenses.
Police claim they were called to the Shell station at 6 Beal Parkway NW after a report of an individual displaying a weapon. Authorities say a witness provided cellphone video that allegedly shows Ballard placing a handgun on the store’s counter. Officers later located Ballard as he was entering a rideshare vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.
According to the police report, officers obtained consent to search the vehicle. The search reportedly yielded a loaded 9mm handgun, an extended magazine, and a satchel containing what police suspect to be 51.8 grams of marijuana and a digital scale. Police assert that Ballard is a convicted felon and was on felony probation at the time of his arrest.
Ballard was taken into custody and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail. His charges include Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
