Durham Gang Member Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possession of Ammunition in Connection with Shooting

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Shermaine Maurice Hammond of Durham, also known as “Mizzle,” was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting that occurred during a robbery.

According to court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force was investigating recent gang activity in Durham, North Carolina when Hammond, age 26, was arrested in April 2020. Hammond was an active member of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods. On March 15, 2020, officers with the Durham Police Department responded to North Miami Boulevard and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds lying in a parking lot. The victim reported that he had been at an adjacent nightlife establishment and was attacked after getting into a car with a woman.

Investigators reviewed video surveillance footage that showed Hammond inside the establishment and then walking toward the car prior to the incident. After the woman and victim got into the car, the woman drove it to a nearby closed business. Surveillance video from that business showed Hammond pointing a gun at the victim as the victim backed away from Hammond. Investigators recovered eleven spent 9mm cartridges from the location. Additional footage showed the injured and bleeding victim fleeing back to the nightlife establishment over a block away. Hammond returned to the establishment in the car and took the victim’s phone as he tried to use it. Hammond and another man then repeatedly punched the victim before leaving the scene.

Just over two weeks later, members of the FBI Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force executed a warrant at Hammond’s girlfriend’s apartment. As they entered, Hammond attempted to escape by jumping out of a back window but was apprehended. Hammond admitted to shooting, beating, and robbing a man outside of the nightlife establishment on March 15, 2020, but claimed the man initiated the confrontation. He also confirmed that he was a member of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods in Durham.

Hammond pleaded guilty to the federal charge on March 22, 2021. He is charged in state court with assault with a deadly weapon and robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the March 15, 2020 incident. Those charges are still pending.

Hammond was convicted of felony carrying a concealed gun in February 2015 and was therefore not permitted to possess ammunition.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, United States District Judge Catherine C. Eagles ordered Hammond to serve three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by members of the Durham Police Department, FBI Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force, and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.

Sandra J. Hairston, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement.

###