Jacksonville Man Sentenced To More Than 18 Years In Federal Prison For Trafficking Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, And Cocaine

Jacksonville, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan has sentenced Ronald Holland (46, Jacksonville) to 18 years and 9 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The court also ordered Holland to forfeit $1,500, which represents proceeds of the offense, and multiple firearms seized during the investigation. Holland entered a guilty plea on March 26, 2024.

According to court documents, between 2020 and 2023, Holland operated and managed a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Jacksonville. 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 investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, 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 United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.