Accused Tomball Gunman Cleared By Grand Jury

HOUSTON, TX — A Tomball man who was arrested on New Year's Eve after police found several gun stashed in is hotel room, will be getting his guns back after a grand jury declined to indict him on any felony charges.

Richard Ziemba, 49, was arrested after he kicked an off-duty police officer working security at the hotel for the New Year's Eve celebration during a struggle inside his room.

At the time of his arrest, police confiscated a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, and a a semi-automatic Glock .380 handgun.

Ziemba's arrest came several months after Stephen Paddock randomly shot at concert goers from the 32nd flood of the Mandaly Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, killing 58 and injuring more than 800 people.

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Ziemba was charged with assaulting a peace officer as a result, and held in the Harris County Jail with bail initially set at $105,000.

READ: Hotel Gun Suspect Makes Bail

Ziemba's attorney was able to convince the judge to lower his clients bail to $20,000 and Ziemba was freed, while the weapons found in his room were kept as evidence

Prosecutors presented the case to the Harris County grand jury on Monday, and failed to present enough evidence for any indictment, dismissing the charges against Ziemba, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The incident on New Year's began when hotel guest complained to security that Ziemba was intoxicated and acting belligerent toward hotel guests.

The off-duty officer ordered Ziemba to leave the hotel and escorted him to his room to get his belongings.

The officer claimed he saw the guns and ammunition in the room and tried to handcuff Ziemba, which resulted in a struggle.

Ziemba, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, said he had the guns in his room because he feared someone could break into his vehicle parked in the hotel parking garage, and steal the weapons.

The guns and ammunition were returned to Ziemba on Wednesday.

Image: Shutterstock

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