In New Jersey, Kenneth Strickland has been convicted of all charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Kenneth Strickland, a 57-year-old man from New Brunswick, Middlesex County, has been convicted for his participation in a significant conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, who stated that Strickland was found guilty on July 29, 2024, on all six counts listed in a superseding indictment.
The charges against him include one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin, in addition to five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The jury wasted no time in reaching a verdict, taking less than two hours to find the defendant guilty after an eight-day trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court.
As per court documents and trial evidence, Strickland was involved in a drug trafficking group that was active from November 12, 2019, to June 30, 2020. The organization had been responsible for distributing significant amounts of fentanyl in various areas, including Paterson and New Brunswick.
During the operation, Strickland was caught engaging in 16 drug transactions with an undercover officer. He was found to be selling substantial quantities of fentanyl that were labeled with names like “MY SHADOW,” “DEATH ROW,” and “VENOM.”
These labels were in line with the stamping tools that were discovered during legal searches of properties in Paterson and Passaic linked to the drug trafficking ring. As a result of these searches, law enforcement officials were able to seize over 350 grams of fentanyl and other drug-related paraphernalia.
If convicted of conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, Strickland could face a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10 million.
Additionally, if found guilty of distribution or possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, he may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for each charge. Strickland’s sentence is set for December 12, 2024.
