Djavon Holland, Fentanyl Trafficking, New Jersey 2024

TRENTON, NJ – A Virginia man is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of flooding New Jersey streets with deadly fentanyl. Djavon Holland, 37, of Virginia, was convicted on April 15, 2024, of two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl following a trial in Trenton federal court.

The case, built on the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, revealed a calculated operation. Back in August 2021, law enforcement received credible intel indicating Holland was a key player in a narcotics network stretching from Virginia to the Garden State. The feds weren’t kidding around – they utilized a confidential source working directly with the ATF to nail him.

According to court documents unsealed today, Holland repeatedly drove from Virginia to New Jersey to meet with an ATF confidential source. These weren’t one-off deals; Holland consistently supplied the source with fentanyl on several occasions, essentially running a delivery service for a substance that’s claiming lives at an alarming rate. The specifics of how much fentanyl was involved haven’t been publicly released, but the charges indicate a substantial quantity.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger didn’t mince words in a press release announcing the conviction. While the statement touts the interagency cooperation, the bottom line is clear: Holland’s actions put lives at risk. The minimum penalty for each fentanyl charge is five years behind bars, but Holland is staring down the barrel of up to 40 years in federal prison, and a potential $5 million fine. That’s a steep price for pushing poison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan N. Linares and Jenny Chung, from the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, successfully prosecuted the case. ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Rossin Marchetti and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer deserve credit for their team’s investigative work, but the real victory will be keeping this fentanyl trafficker off the streets. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date – expect a harsh sentence.

This conviction comes at a time when fentanyl overdoses are ravaging communities nationwide. While one conviction won’t solve the opioid crisis, it sends a message: federal agencies are actively targeting those responsible for bringing this deadly drug into New Jersey. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it’s announced.

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