Raleigh, NC – A Durham man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm following a chaotic series of events that included a high-speed chase and two escapes from deputies in a single day. Mario Deandre Taylor, 44, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison term.
On October 5, 2023, members of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office attempted to arrest Taylor on multiple outstanding warrants, including armed robbery, aggravated robbery, assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. These charges stemmed from incidents reported between July 28 and October 5, 2023.
Despite their efforts, Taylor managed to evade deputies twice before leading them on a high-speed chase through residential and commercial areas of Durham late that evening. During the pursuit, Taylor ran red lights and stop signs, side-swiped a truck, and narrowly avoided hitting a city bus. The chase ended on South Buchanan Boulevard when Taylor abandoned his vehicle, fled on foot with a loaded handgun, and was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
Deputies did not find the weapon on Taylor’s person but located a loaded .40 caliber handgun about 15 to 20 feet from where he was arrested. The gun was recovered by a K-9 unit and was linked to Taylor during the investigation.
In August 2024, Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm. On November 12, he was sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison.
Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort that led to Taylor’s conviction, noting the complexity of cases like this one. “Our office continues to work with other local, state, and federal law enforcement to hold criminals accountable for their actions. Cases like these are complex, and we appreciate the resources available to track a case from arrest to eventual resolution,” Birkhead said.
The case underscores the seriousness of firearm-related crimes and the dangers posed by individuals attempting to evade law enforcement. Taylor’s sentence reflects the commitment of local and federal authorities to ensure public safety and bring offenders to justice.
