Kansas City man pleads guilty in fentanyl overdose death of 32-year-old Lawrence resident
A Kansas City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony charges stemming from a fatal fentanyl overdose in Lawrence, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
Daniele Leone, 33, admitted to charges of voluntary manslaughter and illegal distribution of a controlled substance brought in Douglas County District Court. Leone is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 10.
Lawrence police began investigating the case mid-March 2021 after a 32-year-old man was found unresponsive in a home in the East 1300 block of 13th Street. Prosecutors filed the felony charges against Leone roughly 13 months later, in April 2022.
Many law enforcement agencies in the Kansas City area and around the nation have devoted increased attention to fentanyl trafficking. Abuse of the drug, a synthetic opioid, has become a concern as it has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths.
In a statement Wednesday, District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said her office will continue “to prosecute those dealing in this deadly drug.”
“Fentanyl is continuing to kill our friends, neighbors and family members,” Valdez said, adding that she is working closely with local police on both enforcement efforts and community education about fentanyl.
