Benson Man Sentenced in Deadly Drug Case

(Learfield News/Benson, MN) — A Benson man has been sentenced to over 13 years in prison for selling drugs that led to a Willmar man’s death.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lateef Mahaffey Jr. received a 158-month sentence Monday, with credit for nearly two years already served.

Mahaffey was convicted of third-degree murder and other charges after selling fentanyl-laced drugs in September 2022.

The victim was later found dead in his bathtub.

Mahaffey was also ordered to pay over $14,000 in restitution for funeral costs.

A co-defendant, Mercedes Carpenter of Maynard, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced on September 29th.

The victim’s family expressed anger on social media that Mahaffey refused to attend the sentencing and did not hear their impact statements.