Terrance Lopez Mayo, a 33-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 31 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The incident leading to Mayo’s arrest occurred on November 13, 2023. According to investigators, police responded after a witness reported that a male passenger in a vehicle had pointed a gun at him. Officers located the parked vehicle and, upon approaching it, observed Mayo fleeing on foot. During the pursuit, Mayo discarded a 9mm pistol, which authorities later determined was stolen. Due to his prior conviction for attempted armed robbery, Mayo is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed the sentence of more than two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The Department of Justice strengthened PSN’s approach in May 2021 by emphasizing community trust, support for violence prevention organizations, focused enforcement strategies, and outcome measurement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Columbia Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major prosecuted the case.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” according to the press release.
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