Habitual felon convicted on firearms crimes in New Hanover County

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — 47-year-old Joshua Maddox of Wilmington was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon while also attaining Habitual Felon status.

Maddox was sentenced to 87-117 months at the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

According to court documents, on November 28, 2024, Maddox got into a dispute with some patrons at the Mad Katz Bar and Lounge on Carolina Beach Road, before walking to his girlfriend’s car and retrieved a Smith & Wesson M & P Shield handgun.

Maddox then walked onto the porch of the bar and brandished the firearm while making threats to numerous individuals, and was apprehended later near Cody’s South, another bar also located on Carolina Beach Road.

Maddox was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions for violent crimes and property offenses.

“Felons who unlawfully possess firearms create a grave danger to our community,” said Assistant District Attorney Brad Matthews. “This particular offense was especially egregious because the firearm at hand was used.