NEWARK, N.J. - A Middlesex County, New Jersey man was convicted for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Kenneth Strickland, 57, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was convicted on July 29, 2024, of all six counts of a superseding indictment: 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, and five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the guilty verdict following an eight-day trial before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

From Nov. 12, 2019, through June 30, 2020, Strickland was a member of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing bulk quantities of fentanyl in Paterson, New Brunswick, and other areas of New Jersey. Strickland engaged in 16 drug sales to an undercover police officer, during which he sold brick quantities of fentanyl containing hundreds of doses of the deadly drug stamped with labels such as "MY SHADOW," "DEATH ROW," and "VENOM." Law enforcement learned that Strickland was sourcing his drug supply from the drug trafficking organization and selling to multiple other customers in New Jersey as part of his membership in the organization. On June 30, 2020, law enforcement lawfully searched locations in Paterson and Passaic associated with the drug trafficking organization, where they recovered more than 350 additional grams of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, such as stamping tools that corresponded to those found on fentanyl that Strickland sold to the undercover detective.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential sentence of life in prison, as well as a $10 million fine. The charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolando Ciccone, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Graham and Garrett Schuman of the Criminal Division in Newark.