Mocobizscene- Khalid Holland, a 44-year-old Newark resident, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals delivered the sentence, bringing a significant conclusion to a case that highlights the continuous efforts to combat violent crime and drug distribution in Newark.
Holland was arrested and pleaded guilty on May 15, 2023, for his participation in a drug distribution network operating in Newark’s Lincoln Park area from June to September 2022. The charges against him encompassed possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, possession of firearms to aid drug trafficking, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
During the investigation, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies joined forces to uncover a collection of 13 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition. These weapons were discovered in different residences, with five of them found in Holland’s own residence. Holland admitted that he possessed these firearms with the intention of furthering his drug trafficking activities.
Judge Neals has not only sentenced Holland to prison but has also ordered three years of supervised release, underscoring the legal repercussions of engaging in criminal behavior.
The collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Newark Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, the Newark Police Department, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, played a crucial role in the successful outcome of this case. This partnership is part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a joint effort initiated in August 2017 by federal, state, and local authorities to combat violent crime in and around Newark.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin from the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit in Newark advocated for the government in this case. The sentencing of Holland demonstrates the continued dedication of the Newark VCI and its partner agencies to maintaining public safety and dismantling networks that endanger the community through violent crime and drug trafficking.
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