Confidential Informants Named And Charged In Johnny C. Benjamin Case

Counterfeit Oxycodone Tablets Containing Fentanyl. Source: DEA

According to TC Palm, indictments have been issued against two Palm Beach County residents that had been acting as confidential informants in the case against Dr. Johnny C. Benjamin. Previously, Kevan Slater and Zachary Stewart provided information to and help the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) build their case against Benjamin.

In a previous article on this case, it was mentioned that the investigation started after a Wellington, FL woman died after taking a counterfeit oxycodone pill made with furanyl fentanyl. It turns out that Slater was the individual that DEA agents approached asking if he had sold her the pill. According to a federal complaint, “Shortly after having been approached by DEA, (Slater), with the assistance of counsel, elected to cooperate with the government in this case in hopes of receiving future sentencing consideration.” Slater led authorities to his supplier, Stewart.

Stewart, in turn, supplied information to the DEA on Benjamin, who started manufacturing the pills in 2016 after allegedly researching synthetic opioids on the internet. Stewart made multiple recorded calls and had meetings with Benjamin with a camera hidden in a button on his clothing. The superseding indictment lists charges against all three men. Slater and Stewart face three charges each: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Resulting in Death), Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Resulting in Death)(Aiding and Abetting), and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. If convicted, the two could spend the rest of their lives in jail and pay millions in fines.