Man pleads guilty to drug, gun charges in New Hanover County court
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man pled guilty to charges related to gun and drug charges.
On November 5, 2025, Emerald Josey, 29, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and obtaining the status of being a habitual felon. The Honorable Judge R. Kent Harrell sentenced Josey to at least 5 years in prison and ordered that the money seized be forfeited.
In October of 2024, the Wilmington Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit received information that an individual who goes by “E” was selling narcotics on the northside of Wilmington near Ruth’s Grocery. Detectives were able to identify “E” as Emerald Josey and launched an investigation into Josey’s narcotics distribution. Throughout October and the beginning of November 2024, officers conducted multiple controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Josey and were able to identify that Josey frequented homes at 1012 Hall Street and 505 N. 11th Street.
On November 13, 2024, the Wilmington Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Wilmington Police Department SWAT team executed search warrants at the Hall Street and N. 11th Street addresses. During the search of the N. 11th Street address, officers located a vehicle registered to Josey that contained a Stribog SP9A1 9mm pistol along with ammunition and firearm magazines.
During a search of the Hall Street address, detectives located the following: a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales and baggies that are commonly used to weigh and package narcotics for distribution, two firearms, and $41,358.25 in United States currency. Forensic testing showed Josey’s DNA was found on one of the firearms seized in the Hall Street residence.
At the time of the offense, Josey obtained the status of being a habitual felon and has previously been convicted of Felony Possession of Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Attempted Trafficking in Cocaine. Additionally, Josey was on probation at the time he committed these offenses for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Attempted Trafficking in Cocaine.
District Attorney Jason W. Smith commented, “Career criminals must be held accountable for their actions to ensure the safety of our community. Because of the hard work of the men and women of law enforcement, this career criminal will be spend at least five years behind bars.”
