A 37-year-old resident of Virginia, Djavon Holland, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. After being found guilty on April 15, 2024, by a federal jury in Trenton, Holland was convicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch handed down the 180-month sentence in Trenton federal court, along with four years of supervised release.
Allegations and Investigation
Court documents and the evidence presented at trial reveal the following information:
“In August 2021, law enforcement officials received information that Holland was engaged in narcotics trafficking in or around the Virginia area and New Jersey. On Aug. 12, 2021, a confidential source working with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office contacted Holland to arrange a meeting with a confidential source working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). On several occasions, Holland drove to New Jersey and sold fentanyl to ATF’s confidential source.”
Holland’s frequent visits to New Jersey for the purpose of selling fentanyl resulted in his eventual arrest and the subsequent charges of possessing the controlled substance with the intent to distribute it, as detailed by prosecutors.
Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr. and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer were credited by U.S. Attorney Sellinger for their investigation leading to the sentencing.
The Office’s Criminal Division in Newark prosecuted the government’s case, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan N. Linares and Jenny Chung. It is crucial to highlight that fentanyl continues to be a top priority in the ongoing battle against opioid-related crimes. The illegal distribution of this substance across state lines underscores the importance of interagency cooperation.
Officials are hoping that the imposed 15-year prison sentence and four-year supervised release will serve as a strong deterrent against future narcotics trafficking activities that pose a threat to the well-being and safety of communities not only in New Jersey but also in other areas.