ARDMORE, Okla. ― A former Ringling police officer was in court Wednesday facing felony charges. Shelby Levins talked to the former law enforcement officer as he walked out of jail.

Randy Gene Batterton was a Ringling police officer.

He is a convicted felon.

Batterton is accused of walking around Lone Grove in the aftermath of the deadly February tornado with a loaded gun, which could add another felony to his wrap sheet.

We tried to talk to Batterton as he bonded out of the Carter County Jail. Wednesday afternoon’s book-in and bond out was not Batterton's first run-in with the law.

Carter County assistant district attorney Bradley Noland helped to file charges against Batterton for the unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted criminal.

“Mr. Batterton has a felony conviction on his record, therefore he’s a convicted felon. By statute, state law, it's illegal for him to possess any firearm,” Noland says.

Batterton walked into the District 20 Court with his defense attorney, Charles Milor. Wednesday marked Batterton's initial court appearance to defend these charges. Batterton stands accused of responding to the Lone Grove tornado as a Ringling reservist carrying a loaded gun

“We received a report from the Lone Grove Police Department and other agencies that Mr. Batterton does indeed have a felony record, and that he was in the possession of a firearm. From there we took the case and filed charges,” Noland said.

Batterton was convicted of second degree burglary, arson, and larceny in Murray County in the early 1990s.

Charles Milor refused to comment on behalf of his client, but the district attorney's office admits this newest felony charge is not uncommon.

“Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, it is a fairly common crime.”

Batterton was carrying the gun as a Ringling police officer, so there's question if former Ringling police chief Jeremy Wilson should be held responsible in part for this matter.

“At this time I don't know what if any will come of any charges against other officers at the Ringling Police Department. We'll just have to wait to see if any reports come up in that matter,” Noland said.

Batterton posted $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary conference in April.