Manslaughter Conviction For Deadly Drug Overdose in Austin
Austin, MN (KROC-AM News) - A sentencing hearing has been scheduled in July for an Austin man convicted for his role in a fatal drug overdose.
Guilty Plea to Manslaughter Charge
Thirty-two-year-old Jacob Allen Brandt recently entered into a plea agreement in the case. He was charged in April of last year with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of a woman who was found dead in a northwest Austin residence in October 2024.
Fentanyl Found Next to Victim
According to the charges, Austin police responded to a report of a drug overdose and found the victim, who the complaint said “had been there for some time.” The responding officers also found drug paraphernalia and fentanyl on the bed next to the overdose victim.
Court documents indicate an autopsy detected the presence of fentanyl, a muscle relaxant, an anticonvulsant, and nerve pain medication in her body. The medical examiner ruled her death was due to mixed drug toxicity.
Called Victim's Cell Phone After Her Death
The criminal complaint states that Austin police identified Brandt as a suspect in the case when he called the victim’s phone after she was found deceased. The charges say Brandt told an officer that he last spoke with her the day before her body was found.
A forensic examination of the phone led to the discovery of conversations between the victim and Brandt dating back to June 2024. According to the criminal complaint, the day before she was found dead, the victim sent Brandt $30 through Cash App, and the two had several phone conversations.
Admitted Supplying Drugs
When interviewed by investigators, the court document says Brandt admitted providing the victim with fentanyl on the day before the fatal overdose was discovered.
Past Felony Convictions
Under the terms of his plea deal, Brandt admitted to the second-degree manslaughter charge in exchange for the dismissal of the murder charge. State sentencing guidelines call for a prison sentence ranging from 41 months to 10 years, depending on an individual’s criminal history. A search of Minnesota court records found Brandt has two felony drug-related convictions and another felony burglary conviction.
He currently remains in custody in the Mower County Jail with his conditional bail set at $100,000
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