Former high school football player sentenced as habitual felon

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former West Brunswick Football player has been sentenced to prison for being a habitual felon.

According to Brunswick County District Attorney Jon David, Jamar Akeem Bethea was sentenced as a habitual felon on Wednesday, July 13. Bethea was sentenced to 44 to 78 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to two counts of heroin possession. On January 4, a Brunswick County grand jury indicted Bethea for multiple charges relating to the possession with intent to sell or deliver heroin. Officials say a lengthy narcotics investigation led them to Bethea on McMilly Road in Shallotte.

Bethea was previously convicted for felony inciting a riot, which led to the 2011 fatal shooting of South Brunswick football player Marcus Hankins at the Brunswick County Democratic headquarters.

The Honorable Jack Hooks, of Columbus County, presided over the hearing. Assistant District Attorney Chris Thomas represented the state.