A Dover man who authorities say continued dealing large quantities of narcotics while on probation has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison.
51-year-old Tyler Mills was sentenced in May to 22 years of incarceration after being convicted of Drug Dealing Tier 2 involving fentanyl and Drug Dealing Tier 3 involving cocaine. The sentence also included multiple violations of probation stemming from previous drug-dealing convictions officials said. Because of his criminal history, Mills was sentenced as a habitual offender.
The case stemmed from multiple investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies in Delaware.
On Sept. 19, 2024, officers with the Dover Police Department arrested Mills following a seven-month investigation into alleged drug distribution activities. Investigators recovered approximately 270 grams of cocaine, nearly one pound of marijuana, and about $7,000 in cash during the arrest. Authorities said Mills was on probation for prior drug-related offenses at the time. He later posted bail and was released pending court proceedings.
Less than a year later, on July 29, 2025, officers with the New Castle County Division of Police and members of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force were conducting an investigation into a fentanyl and cocaine distribution network when they observed Mills allegedly obtain narcotics from another individual at the Christiana Mall.
Police attempted to stop Mills, but investigators said he fled, throwing more than 5,000 bags of fentanyl from the vehicle during the pursuit. Authorities recovered the discarded narcotics and continued their investigation.
Mills was later located and taken into custody in Elkton, Maryland, in early August 2025 by law enforcement officers from Maryland and New Castle County. Prosecutors said the broader investigation resulted in charges against several additional individuals, whose cases remain pending in court.
