JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Florida man has been sentenced to 18 years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine following a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville.
Ronald Holland, 46, of Jacksonville, was also ordered to forfeit $1,500, which represents proceeds of the offense. Multiple firearms were seized during the investigation. Holland entered a guilty plea on March 26, 2024.
According to court documents, between 2020 and 2023, Holland and his co-conspirators acquired bulk narcotics from Mexico-based sources of supply who trafficked the narcotics through Houston, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, to Jacksonville. Holland directed two of his underlings, Annette Jones and Janice Strong, to distribute the fentanyl and methamphetamine from two houses he operated off Verbena Road in Jacksonville.
In 2022, federal agents and local law enforcement officers jointly investigated the drug trafficking activities of all three individuals. Between December 2022 and March 2023, agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of pure methamphetamine directly from Strong at one of the houses off Verbena Road. During this time, agents also conducted multiple controlled purchases of pure methamphetamine and fentanyl directly from Jones. Agents observed Holland re-supplying Jones and Strong, and accompanying Jones during drug transactions. Law enforcement officers also observed heavy foot traffic at the two houses off Verbena Road, which was indicative of drug trafficking activity.
On March 15, 2023, federal agents and local law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Holland’s apartment off Harts Road and the two houses off Verbena Road. At Holland’s apartment, agents seized approximately 680 grams of cocaine, 173 grams of pure methamphetamine, 130 grams of fentanyl, assorted drug paraphernalia, and ammunition. At the Verbena Road houses, agents seized approximately 415 grams of pure methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, and $1,500. Agents also located a Springfield Armory pistol, a North American Arms revolver, a Savage Arms rifle, two Ruger pistols, extended magazines, assorted ammunition, and a bulletproof vest.
According to the joint investigation, Holland was responsible for distributing more than 50 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, over 5 kilograms of fentanyl, and 680 grams of cocaine during the drug trafficking conspiracy. In a related case, Annette Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Janice Strong was indicted, and her case is pending trial.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was also investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh.
HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.
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