Fall River man accused of distributing drugs that killed minor, facing decades in prison after 1,600+ pills, 13 switches, 95 firearms and related items seized

BOSTON – A Fall River man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to drug distribution resulting in the death of a minor, as well as multiple other charges filed this week associated with his sale of drugs, machineguns and firearm parts on the Telegram app.

According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 27-year-old Benjamin Hunt pleaded guilty to 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.

U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2026. Hunt was arrested and charged in August 2024 on drug and firearm charges and has remained in federal custody while the investigation continued. Hunt was recently charged with additional crimes, including drug distribution resulting in the death of a minor, and he pled guilty to those crimes yesterday. Under the terms of Hunt’s guilty plea, at sentencing, the court will sentence Hunt to between 20 years and 25 years in federal custody.  

From at least 2022 through 2024, Benjamin Hunt operated an online marketplace on the Telegram application through which he advertised and sold large quantities of controlled substances and firearms to customers across the United States. Hunt controlled multiple Telegram accounts and used the platform to conduct drug and weapons transactions while concealing his identity and seeking payment primarily in cryptocurrency.

Through his Telegram marketplace, Hunt offered for sale numerous dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, ketamine and counterfeit pharmaceutical pills made to resemble oxycodone but containing fentanyl. Hunt also advertised firearms and firearm components, including privately made firearms (“ghost guns”) and machinegun conversion devices (“switches”), some of which he manufactured himself using 3-D printing technology. Hunt typically required payment via Bitcoin, though in some instances accepted CashApp, and then shipped the contraband through the U.S. Postal Service, either directly or through suppliers.

In February, May, and June 2024, Hunt sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer, including quantities exceeding 40 grams of fentanyl. During one of these transactions, Hunt simultaneously sold a privately made Glock-style firearm and multiple machinegun conversion devices along with an extended magazine and 3D printed brass knuckles.

In August 2024, Hunt mailed an additional package containing approximately 1,600 fentanyl pills to undercover law enforcement in exchange for cryptocurrency. Law enforcement intercepted multiple packages being sent to or from Hunt, including one package sent by him that contained a smoke grenade and one package sent to an address associated with him that contained 13 switches or machinegun conversion devices.

A search at Hunt’s residence resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine, as well as an arsenal of firearms and firearm components, including dozens of privately made firearms, machinegun conversion devices, silencers, extended magazines, large quantities of ammunition and 3-D printers used to manufacture firearm parts. In total, approximately 95 firearms and related items were seized.

Law enforcement in Massachusetts learned about an overdose death of a 17-year-old minor in May 2023 in Indiana. Investigators uncovered evidence of Hunt having communicated with the victim through the Telegram app and offering various drugs for sale. The minor purchased multiple drugs from Hunt. Hunt sought payment in Bitcoin, but when the minor did not have access to Bitcoin, Hunt agreed to receive payment via Cashapp. Hunt then mailed drugs to the minor in Indiana through the U.S. mail. Messages between Hunt and the minor in the hours leading to the minor’s death were uncovered, including messages discussing the minor’s consumption of drugs that had been supplied by Hunt. The drugs distributed by Hunt—including fentanyl, MDMA, MDA, ketamine and LSD—were determined to be the but-for cause of the minor’s death, which was ruled an acute mixed drug intoxication. As part of his plea, Hunt admitted that his distribution of these drugs resulted in the minor victim’s death.

“This defendant made a business out of selling poisonous drugs and flooding our communities with illegal guns – and a 17-year-old victim paid for it with his life,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “By exploiting online platforms to sell lethal drugs and guns, the defendant showed a complete disregard for human life and public safety. This guilty plea makes clear that those who deal in death and violence, whether on the street or through online encrypted apps, will be held fully accountable.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking organizations and individuals like Mr. Hunt who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl, MDMA, Ketamine and LSD,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “DEA’s top priority is combatting the drug epidemic by working with our local, county, state, and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs, including if it’s online or out of state. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

“Hunt’s entire livelihood was derived from endangering the public.  Hunt’s drug enterprise killed a customer.  Hunt manufactured and distributed 3D printed machine gun conversion devices, capable of spraying bullets across neighborhoods. This case highlights the collaboration of law enforcement agencies and the United States Attorney’s Office to target and disrupt threats to the safety of our community. Individuals manufacturing and distributing machine gun conversion devices are a priority for the Department of Justice and will remain so,” said Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division.

“Mr. Hunt’s guilty plea today highlights the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to dismantle any criminal syndicate that uses the U.S. Mail to traffic illicit firearms or narcotics. Removing dangerous items from the U.S. Mail is one of our highest priorities as these items pose a significant risk to Postal Service employees and the customers they serve. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively pursue and investigate anyone who attempts to use the mail to encourage gun violence and ongoing drug use in our communities.  I commend our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for their shared dedication on this outcome,” said Nicholas Bucciarelli, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.

The charge of distribution of Fentanyl, MDMA, MDA, Ketamine and LSD resulting in death provides for a sentence of at least 20 years and up to life in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl each provide a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of unlawful transfer and possession of a machinegun each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley, DEA SAC Forget, ATF SAC Greco, USPIS Acting INC Bucciarelli, New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody and Fairhaven Police Chief Daniel Dorgan made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in New England; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Attleboro, Fall River, Norton, Scituate and Taunton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kunal Pasricha and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159.