EVANSVILLE, IN – Roy L. Durham Jr., 37, is headed to federal prison for over seven years after a brazen attempt to flee from police during a routine traffic stop exposed a shocking arsenal hidden inside his vehicle. Durham was sentenced to 92 months – 7 years and 8 months – after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
The incident unfolded on June 6, 2020, at an Evansville gas station. An Indiana State Trooper pulled Durham over, and as the trooper approached, Durham allegedly reached for a handgun tucked inside the driver’s side door. Ignoring commands to show his hands, Durham bolted from the vehicle, abandoning the firearm in his desperate attempt to escape. He didn’t get far.
What troopers discovered after securing the scene was far more than a single illegally possessed handgun. A full inventory of Durham’s vehicle revealed a disturbing collection: five fully loaded firearms, three 9mm magazines, a substantial quantity of assorted ammunition, a gun holster, and even a laser sight. The haul didn’t stop at weapons. Authorities also found 49 grams of synthetic marijuana, a digital scale, plastic baggies indicative of drug dealing, thirteen cellular phones, three laptop computers, and a hefty $1,530 in U.S. currency.
Durham’s history made the gun possession charge particularly egregious. He already had prior felony convictions in Indiana state court – unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon in 2019, and dealing methamphetamine in 2016. These convictions explicitly prohibit him from legally owning or possessing firearms under federal law. The repeated offenses clearly demonstrated a disregard for both the law and public safety, according to federal prosecutors.
The case was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, in conjunction with the Indiana State Police. Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, announced the sentencing. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young handed down the 92-month sentence and ordered three years of supervised release upon Durham’s eventual release from prison.
This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, focused enforcement, and measurable results. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller prosecuted the case, earning praise from U.S. Attorney Myers for his work in securing the conviction and lengthy sentence.
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