Mayo Pickens, Cocaine Trafficking, South Carolina 2025
GREENVILLE, S.C. - A 47-year-old man from Anderson has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for his role in a major cocaine trafficking operation.
Mayo Pickens, 47, of Anderson, was sentenced to almost 15 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking. The sentence was handed down on June 26, 2025, by United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin.
Pickens was arrested in June 2025 after investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at his residence in Anderson. The search uncovered a staggering 76 kilograms of cocaine, as well as multiple firearms, including pistols and a rifle. A total of $75,000 in cash was also seized.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Pickens was also responsible for an additional 24 kilograms of cocaine that he intended to traffic. The evidence against him was substantial, and it ultimately led to his conviction.
Pickens had previously been convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering. He received a 292-month sentence in 2021 but was released from federal custody two years later.
According to court documents, Pickens was arrested in his vehicle while in possession of a loaded revolver. The investigation into Pickens's activities was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.
As a result of the sentencing, Pickens will spend 176 months behind bars, followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. It's worth noting that there is no parole in the federal system.
Pickens's lengthy prison sentence serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of cocaine trafficking. The case highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies to dismantling major trafficking operations and bringing those responsible to justice.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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