OCALA — A convicted felon is accused of firing multiple shots in a yard on New Year’s Day. He faces weapons and drug charges.

Marion County sheriff's deputies were called to an address on Bahia Road in Silver Springs Shores to investigate a disturbance. At the location, a man told a deputy that Thomas Wilds took a .22-caliber handgun from the residence and fired numerous shots in the air while in the backyard.

The man said he tried taking the firearm from Wilds. He said Wilds was angry and intoxicated and fired more shots from the gun. The man said he eventually was able to take the gun away from Wilds.

The deputy recovered the firearm. Wilds denied firing the gun and told the deputy he was asleep at the time.

Wilds, who deputies said had pills and marijuana in his possession, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. His charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.

Wilds was convicted in 2016 for possession of marijuana more than 20 grams within 1,000 feet of a house of worship in Daytona Beach, according to his arrest report.