U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger | U.S. Department of Justice
A Virginia man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Djavon Holland, aged 37, was convicted on April 15, 2024, by a federal jury of two counts related to the distribution of fentanyl. The trial took place before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch at the same court location. The case against Holland stemmed from activities that began in August 2021 when law enforcement officials received information about his involvement in narcotics trafficking in Virginia and New Jersey.
On August 12, 2021, a confidential source working with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office arranged a meeting between Holland and another confidential source affiliated with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Holland traveled to New Jersey multiple times to sell fentanyl to ATF's confidential source.
In addition to his prison term, Holland was sentenced to four years of supervised release following his incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger acknowledged the contributions of special agents from the ATF under Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., as well as personnel from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office led by Bradley D. Billhimer for their roles in investigating and leading up to this sentencing.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan N. Linares and Jenny Chung from Newark's Criminal Division office.
Holland represented himself but had Michael Alexander Thomas Esq., an Assistant Federal Public Defender based in Newark, serving as standby counsel during proceedings.
