Homicide charges filed after man's overdose death -- but not against his heroin dealer



SHEBOYGAN COUNTY -- A Sheboygan Falls man is being held responsible for a heroin overdose death -- but he's not the dealer. Prosecutors say he provided a ride to the victim who would eventually lose his life.

Benjamin Dehn



Prosecutors say Benjamin Dehn met a man near I-43 and Brown Deer Road -- to drive him to Milwaukee to buy drugs.

Prosecutors are now holding Dehn responsible for the man's overdose death.

Gail Hunkins of Howards Grove is holding on to special gifts from her son. The family struggled with 33-year-old Brian Glynn's addiction.

"Somewhere along the line he got into the heroin," Hunkins said.

Hunkins received a life-changing telephone call in September.

"I knew. I just said 'he's dead,' and I knew it," Hunkins said.

"There is nothing in your life that can break your heart more, than to hear your mom fell to the ground in the driveway," Angel Glynn, Brian Glynn's sister said.

Brian Glynn



Brian Glynn died of a heroin overdose.

The Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office has now filed charges in connection with his death.

Joe DeCecco, Sheboygan County district attorney



"Anyone who touches heroin on the way to a person who eventually overdoses and dies is going to be charged. It's as simple as that," Joe DeCecco, Sheboygan County district attorney said.

35-year-old Benjamin Dehn is charged with first degree reckless homicide for Glynn's death.

Prosecutors say his crime was providing Glynn with a ride.

Investigators say looking for a fix, Glynn and a friend drove to a McDonald's restaurant, where Dehn was waiting.

Benjamin Dehn



Glynn was the only one who got into the vehicle with Dehn.  They drove to Milwaukee, purchased $50 worth of heroin, and Dehn returned Glynn to his friend's vehicle.

Police say the two men went back to Cedar Grove to inject the heroin.

Glynn would soon be dead.

The second man was found barely alive in a bathtub.

"If you do a favor for a friend, and they die because you did them a favor, you're going to get charged under Wisconsin law," DeCecco said.

DeCecco says he's hoping to send a message.

"We got to stop it -- and we have to start somewhere," Gail Hunkins said.

Glynn's family believes it can work. They hope coming down hard saves someone else's life in the future.

When FOX6 News asked whether the dealer will be held responsible, DeCecco said he hopes everyone involved that led to Glynn's death. He says this is not the end. Their investigation is ongoing.

Brian Glynn