WILMINGTON, Del. - United States Attorney David C. Weiss announced that Theophil Hollis, 30, of Newark, was sentenced on Oct. 3, 2019 to 5 ½ years in federal prison by U.S. Chief Judge for the District of Delaware Leonard P. Stark. Hollis had previously pled guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and heroin.
According to court documents, between September 9, 2016 and December 7, 2016, Hollis sold heroin laced with fentanyl in baggies branded with the stamp “Block Party." A 27-year old Newark man ingested the contents of one of those “Block Party" branded baggies, overdosed, and died.
“This case highlights the dangers inherent in the drug trade and the devastating consequences heroin and fentanyl have on our community," said U.S. Attorney Weiss. “We will continue to vigorously prosecute drug dealers whose actions result in death. While the sentence in this case will never return the life that was lost, it should serve notice that drug dealers will be held accountable for the harm they inflict. We commend our law enforcement partners for their hard work and dedication in making our streets safer."
“As U.S. Attorney Weiss noted, drug-trafficking is an inherently dangerous business for those that distribute dangerous drugs such as fentanyl and the people that use these same drugs. Hollis was convicted of distributing fentanyl that lead to the fatal overdose of another person," said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “For his crimes, Hollis will now serve time in Federal prison."
The DEA and the New Castle County Police Department investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Logan.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No.17-12.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
