Sheriff’s deputies in Alamance County have arrested four people for their alleged roles in a scheme to purchase firearms for individuals who aren’t legally allowed to own guns in North Carolina.
The office of Alamance County’s sheriff has identified the central figure in this alleged racket as Akeem Alphonso Maynard, a 30-year-old black male from 309 Apple Street in Burlington.
According to the sheriff’s office, Maynard has made a series of deceptive purchases in order to obtain weapons for minors, convicted felons, and others who aren’t permitted to own or bear arms. These ill-gotten guns reportedly include one that was used in a 2024 shooting, based on a subsequent ballistics analysis.
Court records indicate that Maynard was taken into custody on September 22 and charged with 10 felony counts for soliciting the unlawful sale of firearms. He has since been placed under a $50,000 bond.
In addition, the sheriff’s office has filed the same felony-level charge against three other individuals who allegedly obtained weapons through Mayard’s machinations.
These apparent accomplices include Raheem Alphonso Maynard, a 30-year-old black male who shares the primary suspect’s address; Justin Collins Mitchell, a 41-year-old black male of 1082 Dorsey Drive in Burlington; and Isaiah Tyriek Ellis, a 28-year-old black male of 2133 West Hanford Road in Burlington.
According to the sheriff’s office, Raheem Maynard has been placed under a $30,000 while the bonds for Mitchell and Ellis have been set at $40,000 and $10,000 respectively.
