A Wilmington man was sentenced to eight years in prison on Thursday in New Hanover County Superior Court.
Ricky Wallace Jr., 22, pleaded guilty to felony speeding to elude arrest, possession of a firearm by a felon, misdemeanor child abuse and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, according to Samantha Dooies, assistant to District Attorney Ben David.
He also pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with a separate incident.
Superior Court Judge John Nobles sentenced Wallace as a habitual felon and ordered him to serve 96-128 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections.
Officers with the Wilmington Police Department attempted to serve Wallace with a warrant for arrest on Aug. 7. Wallace was wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on July 16, Dooies said.
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“When officers approached the defendant, he drove his car recklessly, crashing into a dumpster,” Dooies said.
Wallace’s 3-year-old child was in the front seat of the car at the time but was not injured. After searching the vehicle, officers found a loaded .45-caliber handgun under the front seat of the car, Dooies said.
Wallace was previously convicted of five felonies, including speeding to elude arrest, possession with intent to sell a schedule I controlled substance, selling a schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance and larceny, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections. His most recent conviction was on April 1, when he was ordered to serve 24 months of probation.
