A Mooresville man spent his 50th birthday in jail following his conviction for felony breaking and entering and habitual breaking and entering.

Elliott K. Smith appeared before Judge Marty McGee May 15, the day before his birthday, and was represented by attorney Michael Parker. Smith was arrested last year, after confessing to breaking into the clubhouse at the Pudding Ridge Golf Course April 9. Smith broke the glass doors and stole $800 from the cash register.

He was later arrested on another charge in Huntersville and confessed to crimes he committed here and in Iredell and Mecklenburg counties.

Assistant DA Marissa Kuzbyt told McGee that when questioned by detectives, Smith told them he broke in to get drug money, and he knew what he did was wrong but: “Insurance will cover it. They’ll get paid.”

He also said he had played golf several times at Pudding Ridge.

Parker said, “It’s a shame my client will have to spend his birthday in the custody of the State of North Carolina. This was clearly drug related. To quote the late Robin Williams, ‘Cocaine is the way God has of telling you you’ve got too much money.’ Cocaine was Mr. Smith’s drug of choice. Him telling detectives everything was clearly a cry for help.”

Parker said since Smith had been in custody, he is now clean of drugs.

Smith had nothing to say on his behalf.

He will spend several more birthdays in prison, as McGee sentenced him to 40 to 60 months with credit for time he’d been in jail awaiting trial. He must obtain substance abuse treatment while he is in prison, pay $625 restitution, court costs and an attorney fee of $780. He is not to go back on the Pudding Ridge premises. If he is eligible, work release is recommended.

A charge of larceny after breaking and entering was dismissed.