Jury Finds New Brunswick Man Guilty on Six Counts of Distributing Fentanyl

NEWARK – A New Brunswick man who authorities say was part of a trafficking organization responsible for distributing bulk quantities of fentanyl in New Brunswick and other municipalities is heading to prison.

Kenneth Strickland, 57, was found guilty Monday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroine, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Phillip R. Sellinger’s office.

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Strickland was found guilty on all six counts of a superseding indictment, or an indictment that amends and replaces the original one: 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 Sellinger’s office.

According to documents filed in this case, Strickland was a member of a drug trafficking organization from Nov. 12, 2019 through June 30, 2020. He engaged in 16 drug sales to an undercover police officer, during which he sold brick quantities of fentanyl containing hundreds of doses of the drug stamped with labels such as “MY SHADOW,” “DEATH ROW,” and “VENOM.”

Police learned that Strickland was sourcing his drug supply from a drug trafficking organization and selling to multiple customers in New Jersey as part of his membership in the organization, according to authorities.

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On June 30, 2020, members of law enforcement 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, according to the press release.

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.

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