Dover Man Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Federal Prison for Heroin Possession and Illegal Gun Possession

WILMINGTON, Del. – United States Attorney David C. Weiss announced that Kenneth Holland, 49, of Dover, was sentenced on September 23, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika to 110 months in federal prison for possessing heroin with the intent to distribute and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, over the course of approximately four weeks in September and October 2018, Holland sold heroin on at least six occasions.  He also illegally sold a handgun.  On October 10, 2018, Holland was arrested.  Law enforcement found over 10,000 baggies of heroin and an AR-15-style semi-automatic assault weapon in Holland’s car upon his arrest.

Holland’s arrest and conviction was part Operation Blue Hen—a prolonged campaign between March and September, 2018 by the ATF to remove illegal drugs and guns from Delaware cities.

In total, Operation Blue Hen resulted in 15 arrests;

• The seizure of 9 firearms;
• The seizure of 768 grams of crack cocaine;
• The seizure of 864 grams of methamphetamine; and
• The seizure of 37 grams of heroin.

U.S. Attorney Weiss commented on the sentence, “The Defendant repeatedly chose not only to sell heroin, but also worked to illegally arm others with firearms – including an assault rifle.  The substantial sentence imposed sends the message that people who put drugs and guns onto the streets will face serious consequences for their actions.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Wilmington Field Division investigated the case with the assistance from the Dover Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse S. Wenger prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.  Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 18-CR-96-001-MN.