Habitual felon sentenced to 20-26 years in prison

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — It took a Columbus County juror 90 minutes to convict a habitual felon of two crimes that will send him to prison for at least two decades.

The jury found Leslie Wayne Jester guilty of possession of stolen goods and obtaining property by false pretense. Those crimes combined with his criminal record landed him 20-26 years behind bars.

Investigators say in August 2012, Jester stole farm equipment from Nakina. Columbus County Sheriff’s deputies found the items at Whiteville metal recycler. They used surveillance equipment and transaction records to tie Jester to the theft and sale of the stolen items.

Records show Jester, 50, has a criminal record dating back to 1987. It includes convictions for assault  by strangulation, breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, drug possession, DWI and more.