Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tayvain Folkes, age 24, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by the U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of one gram of fentanyl from Folkes on December 28, 2021. Based on that purchase, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Folkes’ residence, which yielded approximately 269 grams of fentanyl, a Glock 9mm pistol, and approximately $35,000 in cash. Folkes admitted to possessing the firearm and narcotics after his arrest.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Harrisburg, the Vice Unit, Dauphin County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case.

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