U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves | U.S. Department of Justice
Tavon Lyles, 34, a convicted felon from Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 90 months in prison for dealing crack cocaine inside a variety store while armed with a Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun. The sentence will run consecutive to any other sentence, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Lyles pleaded guilty on October 11, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon and another count of unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Lyles to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on December 14, 2020, around 6:40 p.m., members of MPD's Narcotics and Special Investigations Division (NSID) were conducting a buy-bust operation in the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Undercover officers approached Lyles inside a Dollar Plus store and asked if he had change for a $100 bill. Lyles pulled out money along with a plastic bag containing smaller zips with a white rock-like substance.
The undercover officers left the store to discuss their observations before returning and approaching Lyles again. When asked how much cash they had, the officers replied $40. Lyles then handed them two blue zips containing a white rock-like substance in exchange for two $20 bills of prerecorded currency. The officers signaled that the buy was successful.
As the arrest team moved in, Lyles briefly struggled but was eventually handcuffed. An officer felt what seemed like a firearm in Lyle’s waistband; upon inquiry, Lyles confirmed it was loaded. Officers recovered a Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine from his waistband.
From Lyle’s pockets, officers retrieved cocaine base weighing 32.73 grams and $1,071 in cash, including the prerecorded currency used by undercover officers. Lyles admitted knowing he possessed both the firearm and ammunition despite his prior felony convictions.
This case was investigated by MPD's Narcotics and Special Investigations Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.
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