GADSDEN, Alabama -- An Attalla man has been arrested for the theft of a gun in Etowah County.

According to a news release from Sheriff Todd Entrekin, James Adam Meeks, 27, has been charged with second degree theft. He is currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on $5,000 bond.

Investigators said Meeks took a Savage 308 rifle from a Maple Drive residence in Attalla. The rifle was later sold at a Gadsden pawn shop.

Authorities say Meeks admitted stealing the rifle and pawning it to pay court fines in St. Clair County.