Fall River man pleads guilty to drug distribution that lead to death of minor

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — The United States District Attorney’s Office said that a Fall River man pled guilty to drug distribution resulting in the death of a minor, as well as multiple other charges associated with his sale of drugs, machineguns and firearm parts.

27-year-old Benjamin Hunt was charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl, MDMA, MDA, Ketamine and LSD resulting in death, two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of unlawful transfer and possession of a machinegun, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and cocaine.

Between 2022 and 2024, Hunt used the messaging app Telegram to advertise and sell large quantities of controlled substances and firearms to customers across the United States.

Hunt advertised including fentanyl, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, ketamine and counterfeit pharmaceutical pills made to resemble oxycodone but containing fentanyl, as well as ghost guns and machinegun conversion devices.

He was tied to the overdose death of a 17-year-old in Indiana.

A search conducted after Hunt sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to undercover law enforcement found significant quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine, as well as an arsenal of firearms and firearm components totaling to 95 guns.

Hunt is expected to be sentenced to serve 20 to 25 years in federal custody.