⏱ 2 min read
Mayo Pickens, a 47-year-old Anderson resident, has been sentenced to almost 15 years in federal prison for his role in a massive cocaine trafficking operation. On June 26, 2025, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at Pickens’s residence, uncovering approximately 76 kilograms of cocaine and multiple firearms, including pistols and a rifle. The search also yielded more than $75,000 in cash. Pickens was arrested in his vehicle with a loaded revolver, and the investigation revealed he was responsible for an additional 24 kilograms of cocaine intended for trafficking.
Pickens’s criminal history includes a previous federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering, for which he received a 292-month sentence. He was released from federal custody in 2021. This latest sentence of 176 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision, underscores the severity of his crimes.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen prosecuting the case. United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin handed down the sentence, which reflects the gravity of Pickens’s offenses and the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
The case highlights the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in combating cocaine trafficking and related crimes. With no parole in the federal system, Pickens will serve his sentence in its entirety, a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such illicit activities.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: South Carolina
- Location: SC
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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