Lawrence man pleads to voluntary manslaughter in 2021 fentanyl death

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Benjamin Mims, 36, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful distribution of fentanyl in the death of an 18-year-old Lawrence man. 

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on August 28, 2021, when the 18-year-old man was discovered unresponsive in a home located in the 3300 block of Westridge Court.

“Fentanyl is deadly,” District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said. “My office and law enforcement will continue to work to remove these death dealers from our community and raise public awareness about fentanyl.”

The State of Kansas was represented by Senior Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department.  

Sentencing was set by Judge Amy Hanley for 11 a.m. on June 26, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Mims faces between 55 and 247 months in prison for the voluntary manslaughter conviction and between 14 and 51 months for his unlawful distribution of fentanyl conviction.

For those seeking substance abuse treatment resources in Kansas, call 211. Visit the website for Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA, which provides free naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray, fentanyl test strips and training to community organizations and Kansas residents, at http://bit.ly/3xyc9lU.