Press Release  Two Men Indicted in Connection With Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin in Worcester

Boston — Two men have been indicted in connection with trafficking fentanyl and heroin in Worcester, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Bryan Pena, age 26, and JT Nikko Holley, age 25, both of Worcester, were indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on Friday on one count each of Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Heroin (more than 36 grams), and Distribution of Ketamine. In addition, Pena was charged with Trafficking Heroin (more than 18 grams) and Possession of Ammunition. Holley was additionally charged with Distribution of Cocaine and Distribution of Fentanyl. They will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court at a later date. 

The defendants were arrested in December 2017 following an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office and the Worcester Police Department Vice Squad.

Authorities conducted controlled undercover purchases of a mix of heroin and fentanyl and cocaine from Pena and Holley on five different occasions prior to their arrest. In total, authorities purchased five grams of fentanyl from Holley, 20 grams of a mix of heroin and fentanyl from Pena and 40 grams of heroin and fentanyl from Holley and Pena together.

During the execution of a search warrant at Pena’s residence in Worcester, authorities seized items used for the packaging and distribution of drugs and 42 rounds of ammunition. 

The AG’s Office has committed a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to form a Fentanyl Strike Force. In partnership with the Massachusetts State Police, the task force targets heroin and fentanyl traffickers and dismantles their distribution networks across Massachusetts. The funds expand the AG’s Office’s own drug enforcement work and have helped build enhanced partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement.

These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Lynn Brennan of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, and the Worcester Police Department Vice Squad.

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