YOUR AD HERE »

Jury finds Grand Junction man guilty of distribution resulting in death, and several other charges

Holder faced charges in connection with overdose death of Carbondale man in 2017

Grand Junction man Bruce Holder, 55, faces up to life in prison and a $20 million fine after a jury convicted him on charges related to the overdose death of a Carbondale man.

Holder was convicted of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other counterfeit substances, distribution of fentanyl and distribution of a counterfeit substance after an 11-day trial in Denver, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.

“Facts presented at trial established that Holder worked in conjunction with multiple co-conspirators, including his wife, children, and other members of his family, to distribute pills which appeared to be 30mg Oxycodone pills but in fact were counterfeit and spiked with fentanyl,” the news release states.



“Between 2017 and 2018, Holder imported tens of thousands of these pills from Mexico into Western Colorado where he and his co-conspirators distributed them for substantial profit.”

Holder was found guilty for distribution of a controlled substance (fentanyl) resulting in death, namely, the death of John Ellington of Carbondale.



Ellington died Dec. 28, 2017 by overdose on Dec. 28 in Carbondale after coming into contact with fentanyl or a fentanyl mixture.

“Evidence presented at trial established that this man would not have died but for the fentanyl present in the counterfeit pills distributed by Holder,” the news release states.

“Despite knowing of this death, and hearing of other concerns, Holder and his co-conspirators continued to import and distribute these counterfeit pills. This continued even after Holder’s arrest in August 2018. Evidence at trial also showed that, following his arrest, Holder discussed with co-conspirators plans to destroy evidence and the possible murder of a cooperating witness.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch said Holder, of Grand Junction, profited from the fact that many people know fentanyl is incredibly dangerous but don’t know that it can be disguised to look like less powerful opioids.

“Holder now faces an appropriately long prison sentence for his callous drug distribution,” Kirsch stated in the release.

United States District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello presided over the trial and will impose sentence at a later date.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the FBI, ATF, HSI, USMS, Western Colorado Drug Task Force, Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (“TRIDENT”), Carbondale PD, Fruita PD, Grand Junction PD, and Mesa County SO. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Chaffin and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jaime Pena handled the prosecution of the case.

Reporter Shannon Marvel can be reached at 605-350-8355 or smarvel@postindependent.com.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.