WILMINGTON, Del. (July 16, 2026) – A Lewes man was sentenced July 16, 2026, to 70 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). U.S. District Judge Hall imposed the sentence.

According to court documents, Brandon Barnes, 38, fled from Lewes Police during a car stop in July 2024. Barnes lost control of his car and struck a utility box before fleeing on foot. Once police caught Barnes, they found numerous blue pills marked “M30” scattered across the floor and driver’s seat of the car, as well as blue pills between the car and where police arrested Barnes. Police ultimately recovered over 500 pressed fentanyl pills.

“Fentanyl kills,” stated U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “But Brandon Barnes did not let that stop him from peddling the deadly substance to people in the throes of addiction. He will now be spending more than five years in federal prison. That is a just sentence, and we thank our dedicated law enforcement partners at the DEA for taking yet another dangerous drug dealer off the streets.”

Philadelphia Division Special Agent in Charge Timothy S. Flaherty said, “Today another fentanyl distributor was held accountable for threatening our local communities. Brandon Barnes sought to profit from causing harm to others. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of DEA, the Lewes Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Delaware, he will instead serve more than five years in federal prison.”"Whether you live in large cities or small beach towns like Lewes, those that sell illegal drugs remain a leading cause of crime and will always be a focus of the Lewes Police Department,” said said Thomas Spell, Chief of Police of the Lewes Police Department. “We want to thank the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their continued partnership in assisting local law enforcement and holding drug dealers like Brandon Barnes accountable for his crimes against our community."

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance from Lewes Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill, Samuel S. Frey, and M. David Tambussi Jr. prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districtof Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the DistrictCourt for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 24-cr-122.