Wilmington habitual felon sentenced to prison in firearm, break-in case

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man with multiple prior felony convictions has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to firearm and property crimes in New Hanover County.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, 47-year-old Jimmie Kirkland pleaded guilty in New Hanover County Superior Court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felonious breaking and entering. Kirkland also admitted to habitual felon status.

Judge Quintin McGee sentenced Kirkland to a minimum of 58 months and a maximum of 82 months in prison.

Court records show the charges stem from an incident on Aug. 19, 2025. Around 6:48 a.m., Kirkland broke into a vacant home on Manly Avenue in Wilmington.

A nearby resident called law enforcement after noticing suspicious activity. When officers arrived, they found Kirkland hiding in nearby bushes.

Investigators searched the vacant home and found a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun near the front door. The weapon had previously been reported stolen from Leland.

Authorities say fingerprints collected from the shotgun were later matched to Kirkland.

Prosecutors said Kirkland’s habitual felon status was based on multiple prior felony convictions involving violent crimes and drug offenses.