The Code Killer: Who is Benjamin Delgadillo?
Interview With A KillerWhat started as a casual gathering quickly escalated into something far more sinister. A tattoo session among friends turned into hours of violence, humiliation and murder. For Benjamin Delgadillo, it was not unusual. This kind of evening was part of a brutal “code” that few outsiders could ever truly understand.
As part of the new Crime+Investigation series, Interview With a Killer, host David Scott follows Delgadillo into the criminal underworld as he explains how a thousand-dollar robbery of crystal meth kicked off an evening of mayhem.
A life in the shadows
Benjamin Delgadillo was no stranger to crime. By the time of Younis Alhassinyani’s brutal killing, he was already deeply embedded in the criminal underworld, navigating a life tied to drug dealing.
This was not the kind of world that offered second chances or formal justice. Disputes were handled internally, and punishment was often swift and harsh.
For Delgadillo, that environment became the norm. Decisions were shaped less by law and more by reputation. Over time, the line between right and wrong blurred into something far, far more dangerous.
The theft that sparked chaos
At the heart of the case was a small quantity of crystal meth that was stolen. A thousand-dollar theft might seem quite minor on the outset, but in this world, it was anything but.
But who took the drugs that sparked this extent of retaliation? The man accused of taking it was Younis Alhassinyani. Whether driven by desperation or opportunity, that decision would sadly cost him his life.
Within Delgadillo’s circle, the stolen meth was seen as a direct challenge that demanded punishment. Not just to recover what was lost, but to send a message to everyone involved.
A point to prove
What followed was not a quick confrontation. It was a prolonged and unsettling turn of events that ended in tragedy.
Alhassinyani was brought to what should have been a routine gathering. Instead, he was held against his will and subjected to hours of abuse. The group beat him, interrogated him and made it clear that this was about more than money.
During the gathering, a tattoo gun was used to mark the victim’s body. It was all about control and humiliation. A physical reminder of what happens when you break the rules. Far from a simple punishment, it was a display to show Alhassinyani who had the upper hand.
As the night went on, the violence got worse. What might have begun as an attempt to intimidate or get information crossed a line that could not be undone
The death of Younes Alhassinyani
By the end of the night, Alhassinyani was no longer able to defend himself. He was driven out and left on the side of a highway, gravely injured and alone. Younes would later tragically die from the sustained assault.
For those involved, including Benjamin Delgadillo, the consequences were immediate. The situation had gone too far, and cases like this rarely stay hidden for too long, especially due to the brutality of the crime and the people involved.
Investigators began piecing together what had happened, relying on witness accounts and forensic evidence from those connected to the group. As the picture became clearer, Delgadillo’s role came into focus. He was an active participant in a chain of events that led directly to Alhassinyani’s death.
Arrests and charges soon followed. The code that had governed the group offered no protection once the legal system took hold.
Inside the code
One of the most chilling aspects of the case is what it reveals about the unwritten rules of the criminal underworld Delgadillo was a part of. In interviews, he describes a system in which respect is enforced through fear, and where even minor transgressions can trigger deadly responses.
It’s a code built on reputation. If someone steals, they are punished. If that punishment is not severe enough, it invites further challenges. This case offers a unique look into the ‘code’ and how it dictates much of the crime in America.
Benjamin Delgadillo was convicted for his role in the assault that led to Younis Alhassinyani’s death and was sentenced to life in prison.
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