SALISBURY — A Rowan County man has been sentenced to nearly three years to five years in prison after pleading guilty to interfering with an electronic monitoring device.

The Rowan County District Attorney’s Office said Billy Edward Lucas III, 34, also admitted to being a habitual felon. Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced Lucas to a minimum of 35 months to a maximum of 54 months in prison.

On Oct. 19, 2017, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a probation officer who reported that Lucas, who was then on probation, had been ordered to wear an electronic device on his ankle to monitor his curfew. The probation officer reported that Lucas appeared to have removed the device.

Lucas was arrested.

Lucas has multiple previous convictions that include felony breaking and entering, felony financial card theft, and felony larceny.

District Attorney Brandy Cook said her office identified Lucas as a habitual felon at an early stage, which enhanced his sentence. Cook said if her office had not pursued Lucas as a habitual felon, he could have received as little as five to 15 months in prison.