Habitual felons given long prison terms

By DEUCE NIVEN

    Lengthy prison terms have been ordered for two Columbus County men convicted in separate cases as habitual felons this week, District Attorney Jon David said Tuesday.
    Paul McCollum, 32, of Whiteville pleaded guilty to felony breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering on Tuesday, David said in a news release. He was sentenced to serve from 13 to 17 years in prison.
    Travis Barnes, 41, of Fair Bluff pleaded guilty to felony breaking and entering and possession of a firearm by a felon on Monday. He was sentenced to serve from 12 to 16.5 years in prison.
    McCollum admitted guilt to the theft of tobacco racks from a barn in the Evergreen community in July 2014 and witnesses who took down the license plate number of his truck and were able to identify him.
    Barnes was convicted for an April 9, 2014 break-in at a Whiteville home. After the victim heard noises at the entrance of his home, he encountered Barnes, who pulled a shotgun which prompted Barnes to flee in a Nissan truck, the news release said.
    Columbus County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Barnes in a nearby neighborhood, and found a rifle in the rear of his vehicle, prompting the firearm charge.
    Both cases were investigated by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Quintin McGee.
    For more on this story, and additional crime related news, see Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.