A Denver man, Derris Mayberry, 37, has been convicted by federal juries on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of fentanyl. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced the conviction.
The incidents leading to these convictions occurred on March 22, 2024. According to trial evidence, an undercover operation was underway when a woman approached an officer and offered "dope." She indicated she could procure "blues," referring to fentanyl pills. This led officers to an alley near the Colorado State Capitol where Mayberry was present.
An audio recording captured negotiations between an undercover officer and Mayberry regarding the price and quantity of fentanyl pills. Following this negotiation, officers witnessed a hand-to-hand exchange between the woman and Mayberry. The woman then provided four fentanyl pills to the undercover officer in return for $20.
Law enforcement soon contacted Mayberry at a nearby bus stop. A pat-down revealed he had a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his shorts pocket despite previous felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms. Additional fentanyl pills and the marked $20 bill were found during his arrest.
Mayberry's sentencing will occur at a later date under United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico's oversight. The investigation was conducted by the Denver Police Department VICE unit alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore O’Brien and Celeste Rangel prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites various law enforcement levels with communities to combat violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, this initiative launched a strategy aimed at reducing violent crime through community trust-building, supporting preventive organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.
