Leland man sentenced to prison for firearm and theft convictions

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Leland man will serve more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple firearm and theft-related offenses in New Hanover County Superior Court.

Terry Lee Ramsey, 38, pleaded guilty Monday to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obtaining property by false pretense and larceny from a merchant.

Judge G. Frank Jones sentenced Ramsey to a minimum of 55 months and a maximum of 95 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

According to court officials, the theft case stems from an incident on Dec. 5, 2024, when Ramsey and an unknown accomplice entered the Lowe’s Hardware Store on South College Road and stole two Dewalt 20-volt batteries valued at $249 each.

Investigators said the two later sold the batteries the same day to the National Pawn Store on South College Road for $55 each.

In an unrelated case on April 10, 2025, authorities said Ramsey pawned a Remington 1100 model 12-gauge shotgun for $500 at the Pawn South Store on Oleander Drive. Officials said Ramsey was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions.

District Attorney Jason W. Smith said his office will continue focusing on repeat property crime offenders and people prohibited from having firearms.