Durham Man Sentenced to Nearly 14 Years in Federal Prison After Authorities Recover Multiple Guns
GREENSBORO, NC — A Durham man with a previous felony record has been sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison after authorities recovered firearms during an anti-gang operation and linked him to additional illegal gun possession incidents.
Frederick Lamont Mayo Jr., 37, received a sentence of 163 months — 13 years and seven months — in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Dan Bishop of the Middle District of North Carolina.
U.S. District Judge Lindsey A. Freeman imposed the sentence in Greensboro.
Mayo pleaded guilty on June 1, 2026, to possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon, a violation of federal law.
Two Firearms Recovered During Durham Anti-Gang Operation
According to federal court records, the investigation began with a proactive anti-gang initiative conducted on September 9, 2025, by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Anti-Crime Narcotics Unit and the FBI’s Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force.
During the operation, deputies recovered two handguns from the driver’s-side floorboard of a vehicle Mayo had driven earlier.
The weapons were identified as a Taurus .40-caliber pistol and a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol.
Federal prosecutors said Mayo made multiple statements acknowledging ownership of the firearms and control of the vehicle in which they were discovered.
Because of his prior felony convictions, Mayo was prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms.
Prosecutors Say Mayo Possessed Three Additional Guns
Court documents revealed that the September 2025 incident was not the only occasion on which Mayo illegally possessed firearms.
Federal authorities identified three additional weapons connected to two separate incidents.
One firearm was possessed in 2024, while two others were possessed after Mayo was released from custody following the September 2025 firearms charge.
In total, court records described five firearms possessed across three separate occasions.
The additional incidents were considered part of Mayo’s criminal history and conduct described in the federal case.
Previous Felony Conviction in Johnston County
Mayo had previously been convicted of felony drug offenses.
On April 4, 2019, Johnston County Superior Court convicted him of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance as a habitual felon.
He received a state prison sentence of 58 to 82 months.
Federal prosecutors cited his previous felony convictions in establishing that he was legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Federal, County and Durham Police Agencies Investigated
The investigation involved several law enforcement agencies working together to address illegal firearm possession.
The participating agencies included the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham Police Department, and FBI Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall S. Galyon prosecuted the federal case.
Mayo’s 163-month sentence will be followed by three years of federal supervised release.