Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison

WILMINGTON, Del. – Julianne E. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that on August 24, 2025, Dwayne Fountain, 54, of Middletown, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and two counts of distribution of controlled substances.  Dwayne Fountain was convicted after a trial in March 2025.  Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence, finding that the defendant was a leader of a drug trafficking organization.  The amount of fentanyl seized from this organization, over ten kilograms, represents the largest known fentanyl seizure in Delaware history.

This case was the result of a long-term investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Delaware State Police, and Dover Police Department.  The evidence at trial showed that Dwayne Fountain bought kilograms of drugs from his suppliers and added ingredients like xylazine, also known as “tranq,” to make the drugs more potent and profitable.  Agents found a kilogram press in a home he owned in Middletown, which was used to put the drugs back into “brick” form after they were adulterated.  The defendant also rented an apartment in Bear, Delaware, where he stored his inventory of drugs.  Search warrants executed in the case led to the seizure of over 10.5 kilograms of fentanyl, over 200 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, over 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, and nearly 3 kilograms of heroin. 

The government stressed at sentencing that the defendant knowingly placed the public in danger by mixing and selling drugs that frequently cause overdoses and deaths.  On a recorded call, the defendant admitted that he knew the drugs he was selling could kill people stating, “They said it's too strong, come on man... We all got some sh*t that can make a [person]die. For real, for real. You gotta know how to mix it right.”  The defendant also stored his drugs in the same apartment where his teenaged son lived, and he coached his other son about how to manage a drug operation on wiretap calls.

U.S. Attorney Murray commented, “The defendant well knew the danger he was causing, both to his own family and to the public.  He sold drugs anyway, for no reason other than the desire to make money.  The Court’s sentence sends the right message – selling drugs, especially fentanyl – will land you in federal prison for many years.”

“Law Enforcement took Dwayne Fountain off the streets in 2023.  He was enriching himself by selling poison in our community on a scale not often seen.  Surely this arrest was a contributor to the 36% drop in overdose deaths recorded in Delaware in 2024,” offered Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson.  “I understand and acknowledge the broader effort in reducing the overdose death rate in the First State, but sometimes we forget the months of crime fighting efforts put in by our police officers.  Cases that involve both physical and electronic surveillance are labor intensive and require considerable sacrifice.  This was a tremendous effort by all the involved officers.  They made Dover a little safer and they certainly saved lives.”

“This case serves as a reminder of the dangers our communities face from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “The amount of fentanyl seized in this case could have led to countless overdoses. Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of our detectives and federal partners, a major supplier has been taken off the streets, and lives were undoubtedly saved.”

“Dwayne Fountain was poisoning our communities through the distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  Working with our law enforcement partners from the Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Mr. Fountain was brought to justice through his sentencing to a 25-year term of incarceration,” stated Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett, DEA Philadelphia Field Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer K. Welsh and Samuel S. Frey prosecuted the case. This case was investigated by the DEA Dover Post of Duty, Delaware State Police and Dover Police Department, with assistance from the DEA Scranton Resident Office, Delaware National Guard, Smyrna Police Department, Ocean View Police Department, and Delmar Police Department.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-49-CFC.