Prison for Austin Man in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Case

Austin, MN (KROC-AM News) - An Austin man has been sentenced to 6½ years in prison for his involvement in a deadly drug overdose.

Convicted of Manslaughter

Thirty-two-year-old Jacob Alan Brandt recently entered a guilty plea to a charge of second-degree manslaughter. Under a plea agreement with Mower County prosecutors, a third-degree murder charge was dismissed.

2024 Fatal Overdose

Court records indicate his conviction stems from the death of a woman in October 2024. The criminal complaint says Austin police responded to a report of a drug overdose at a northwest Austin residence and found the victim next to a quantity of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

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Fentanyl Found Next To Victim

The court document states that an autopsy detected the presence of fentanyl, along with a muscle relaxant, an anticonvulsant, and a nerve pain medication in the victim's body. The medical examiner ruled her death was caused by mixed drug toxicity.

According to the charges, Austin police identified Brandt as a suspect after he called the victim's home after officers had found her deceased. The criminal complaint says Brandt spoke with an investigator and indicated that he last spoke with the victim the day before her body was found.

(Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Evidence Found on Victim's Phone

A forensic examination of the victim's phone led to the discovery of conversations between the victim and Brandt dating back several months. The charges say the evidence shows the victim sent Brandt $30 through Cash App and had several phone conversations with him the day before her body was discovered.

When he was interviewed by investigators, the criminal complaint says Brandt admitted providing the victim with fentanyl the day before the fatal overdose.

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