A Farmville resident, Tyrone Lamont Fowlkes, 42, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of firearms and drug offenses. The sentencing took place in Richmond following a series of incidents that began on February 7, 2024.
On that date, law enforcement officers found Fowlkes in a parked pickup truck in Nottoway County. When approached by a deputy, Fowlkes fled at high speed and was pursued until he crashed into a tree. The crash resulted in serious injuries for Fowlkes and destroyed the vehicle. Officers recovered three firearms—one of which was stolen—along with three digital scales, $948.84 in cash, nearly 200 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine pills, Oxycodone pills, and over 450 grams of marijuana from the truck.
Months later, on August 9, 2024, while several arrest warrants were still outstanding from the earlier incident, law enforcement observed Fowlkes driving an SUV in Nottoway County. After conducting a traffic stop during which a police K9 alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle, officers found another set of firearms—including one with a large-capacity magazine—digital scales, $1,260 in cash, more cocaine and methamphetamine, additional Oxycodone pills, and over 300 grams of marijuana.
Fowlkes had previous felony convictions for distributing cocaine in both 2008 and 2011 and for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute during a 2019 incident involving a firearm. As a result of these convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
“Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.” The Nottoway County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. McGorman prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America—a national Department of Justice initiative focused on combating violent crime by combining resources from various programs such as Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Additional information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through court records available via PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-25.
