WILMINGTON, N.C. — 29-year-old Emerald Josey pled guilty on November 5 to Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and was designated a habitual felon.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Wilmington Police Department officers were alerted in October 2024 to an individual known as “E” selling narcotics near Ruth’s Grocery. Detectives identified the suspect as Josey and conducted multiple controlled purchases of crack cocaine.
On November 13, 2024, the WPD Vice Narcotics and SWAT teams searched two properties associated with Josey, seizing:
A Stribog SP9A1 9mm pistol with ammunition in a vehicle
Crack cocaine
Digital scales and baggies commonly used for narcotics distribution
Two additional firearms
$41,358.25 in U.S. currency
The DA confirmed Josey’s DNA was found on one of the firearms. At the time, Josey was on probation for previous firearm and cocaine trafficking offenses and had prior convictions including Felony Possession of Cocaine and Attempted Trafficking.
A judge sentenced Josey to 60–84 months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of the seized money.
