Hashim Nzinga, a New Black Panther Party leader who gained attention when he announced a bounty on the shooter in the highly publicized Trayvon Martin case, has been arrested, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said.

Nzinga, 49, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a release sent by sheriff's office spokesman Adrion Bell.

Nzinga recently said on CNN that the New Black Panther Party is placing a $10,000 reward for the capture of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot the unarmed Martin, 17, in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. The announcement said CNN referred to Nzinga as the New Black Panther Party’s Chief of Staff.

In the announcement, Bell said the DeKalb warrant states that Nzinga was in possession of an FN Herstal 5.7 x 28 handgun. Investigators learned that Nzinga allegedly pawned the gun at A Stone Mountain Pawn Shop at 4591 Rockbridge Rd., the sheriff's office said.

According to the sheriff's office announcement, Nzinga’s February 2012 convictions of felony deposit account fraud in Gwinnett County made this transaction illegal.

Fugitive squad members arrested Nzinga at his probation office at 410 West Oak Street in Lawrenceville. Nzinga was transported to the DeKalb County Jail without further incident, the sheriff's office said.