Lawrence man sentenced to 56 months for causing fentanyl-related death

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Randell Mark Smith, 32, of Lawrence, was sentenced to a total of 56 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for involuntary manslaughter and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in the fentanyl-related death of a Lawrence man.

“Working with law enforcement, our mission to secure fentanyl-related convictions is critical to disrupting the flow of this deadly poison,” District Attorney Valdez said. “The heartbreaking toll of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills on our community underscores the urgency. We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and preventing more tragedies.”

Judge Stacey Donovan sentenced Smith, who pleaded no contest in February 2024, to 41 months for the involuntary manslaughter conviction and 15 months for unlawful distribution of fentanyl. Both sentences will run consecutively.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the 1500 block of Pin Oak Drive during the early morning hours on October 8, 2021. Lawrence Police were called to the home where a resident was found deceased on the living room floor. An autopsy later determined fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death. The police investigation then led police to Smith as the distributor of the fentanyl-laced pill taken by the deceased.

Smith, who also pleaded no contest in February 2024 to his second offense for driving under the influence, was sentenced to 12 months in the Douglas County Jail. Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 6, 2021, when a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy observed Smith driving erratically on E 1900 Road, north of K-10 highway. The sentence will run concurrently to his sentencing in the fentanyl-related case.

Smith will serve 24 months of post-release supervision and must comply with the Kansas Offender Registration Act for 15 years.

Senior Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald represented the State of Kansas. The matters were investigated by the Lawrence Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

For those seeking substance abuse treatment resources in Kansas, call 211. Visit 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.