PLANO, Texas – Benjamin Linder, a 23-year-old Dallas man known as ‘Benzo,’ has been sentenced to a lengthy stretch in federal prison for his role in a deadly fentanyl deal.
A federal judge handed down a 200-month sentence to Linder on April 30, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
The case began on December 24, 2021, when law enforcement responded to a Frisco residence regarding an unresponsive person. Upon arrival, officers were informed by the father of the victim that he had found his 20-year-old son unresponsive on the living room floor. Paramedics arrived but were unable to revive the victim, who was pronounced deceased at the residence.
Investigators were able to access the victim’s cellular phone and discovered a contact labeled as ‘Benzo,’ later identified as Benjamin Linder. A series of text messages between the victim and Linder revealed they arranged to meet in a parking lot on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas, where the victim purchased fentanyl-laced pills and ‘lean’ from Linder.
Toxicology reports identified the victim’s cause of death as toxic effects of fentanyl, flubromazepam, trazodone, hydroxyzine, and promethazine. Linder was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 12, 2023, and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.
This case was investigated by the Frisco Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson. The lengthy sentence handed down to Linder serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl trafficking.
As Benjamin Linder begins his 16-year, 8-month prison sentence, the community can take some solace in the fact that justice has been served. But for the family and loved ones of the victim, the pain of his loss will continue to be felt for years to come.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and others like it, shedding light on the dark world of fentanyl trafficking and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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