BALTIMORE — U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Tavon Dwayne Banks, age 37, of Cambridge, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

The sentence was announced on Sept. 9 by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Talbot County Sheriff Joseph Gamble.
According to Banks’ guilty plea, during an investigation that began in September 2019, the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force and Homeland Security identified Banks as a multi-ounce cocaine supplier through hundreds of intercepted telecommunications targeted towards a co-conspirator. Banks distributed narcotics throughout Talbot and Dorchester counties.

For example, on June 25, 2020, Banks and a co-conspirator discussed arranging a meeting with a cocaine supplier. Investigators believe that Banks and his co-conspirator combined funds to purchase five ounces of cocaine to refresh their supply.

On July 16, 2020, investigators observed Banks and a co-conspirator meet with an unknown narcotics supplier at a predetermined location to obtain cocaine. Additionally, investigators also observed Banks visiting an Easton, Maryland stash house and conduct suspected drug transactions.

On July 17, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Banks’ residence. As a result of the search warrant, investigators recovered $30,100 located under a couch cushion, 196 grams of cocaine, 18.2 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, bags with trace amounts of a white powdery substance, and a cell phone.

A forensic examination of the cell phone revealed messages and photos relating to Banks’ distribution of cocaine, including a photo of Banks cooking crack cocaine.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI, the Talbot County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Dorchester County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Oldham, who prosecuted the case.