Durham Man Convicted for Drug Trafficking and Illegal Firearms Possession

GREENSBORO, N.C. - A jury in federal district court convicted SHAY NEIL JOHN today on multiple violations of drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession, including possession of a machinegun and fentanyl trafficking, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina. 

According to court documents, SHAY NEIL JOHN, 50, was charged by Indictment on December 19, 2022, and by Superseding Indictments on May 30, 2023 and  August 28, 2023, with one count of possession with intent to distribute para-fluorofentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. The events of the indictment and superseding indictments stemmed from an incident in Durham County that occurred on December 13, 2022.

A jury convicted JOHN on all counts of the Superseding Indictment on September 21, 2023 after a three-day trial. At sentencing, JOHN faces a minimum of 30 years in prison and a 3- to 5-year term of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2023, before United States District Court Judge William L. Osteen in Greensboro.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Durham Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jake D. Pryor and Stephen T. Inman.

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