DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with a fentanyl death.
On Aug. 30, deputies took 28-year-old Mason Duane Robinson into custody for several outstanding bench warrants including failing to appear on a charge of distributing a controlled substance leading to death.
The judge issued the warrant when Robinson skipped court Monday in a case in connection with the 2022 fentanyl death of a 23-year-old Lawrence woman and two felony theft cases, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's office.
While investigating, deputies learned Robinson was in a rural residence west of Lawrence. Deputies were given permission to enter the home and found Robinson in the basement. He was arrested without incident with the help of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Robinson has previous convictions for burglary, criminal threat, theft, driving while suspended, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and violation of a protection order, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He had been released from jail in January, according to online jail records.