VA Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Fentanyl Distribution in New Jersey

Authorities say the defendant repeatedly transported and sold fentanyl in undercover operations across state lines.

A 37-year-old Virginia resident was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced. Djavon Holland was found guilty on April 15, 2024, by a federal jury in Trenton of two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch imposed the 180-month sentence on Holland in Trenton federal court, along with four years of supervised release.

Allegations and Investigation

According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial:

“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.”

Prosecutors detailed that Holland’s repeated trips to New Jersey to sell fentanyl led to his eventual arrest and subsequent charges of possession with intent to distribute the controlled substance.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government’s case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan N. Linares and Jenny Chung of the Office’s Criminal Division in Newark. Authorities emphasize that fentanyl remains a high-priority target in the ongoing fight against opioid-related crimes and that interagency cooperation is crucial in preventing its illegal distribution across state lines.

With the imposed 15-year prison term and four-year supervised release, officials hope to deter further narcotics trafficking activities that endanger the health and safety of communities in both New Jersey and beyond.