Benjamin Linder, also known as Benzo, 23, from Dallas, has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Linder pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison on April 30, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III.
The case stemmed from an incident on December 24, 2021, when law enforcement responded to a residence in Frisco regarding an unresponsive person. The victim, a 20-year-old male, was found unresponsive by his father in the living room. Despite efforts by paramedics, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators discovered that the victim had contacted Linder, saved as "Benzo" in his phone, to purchase pills and "lean" (promethazine-codeine syrup) on December 23, 2021. Text messages revealed that the victim and Linder arranged to meet at a parking lot on the University of Texas at Dallas campus, where the victim bought fentanyl-laced pills and "lean." Further investigation revealed communication between the victim and Linder dating back to at least November 10, 2021.
Toxicology reports confirmed 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, on federal drug trafficking charges.
The investigation was conducted by the Frisco Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
