Prosecutors dismiss drug charges against 32-year-old Lawrence man / LJWorld.com

Douglas County prosecutors have dismissed drug charges against a 32-year-old Lawrence man.

Charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and distributing or possessing marijuana as a dealer without a drug tax stamp against James F. Auten were dropped Tuesday.

District Attorney Charles Branson said prosecutors dismissed the charges because they now believe there is insufficient evidence to prove Auten intended to possess the marijuana on June 29. They could re-file charges later because the case was dismissed without prejudice.

Auten was listed as a Kansas University student at the time of his January arrest. He has been on parole since October 2010 after he was sentenced in 2006 to serve a 65-month prison sentence for entering a plea to aggravated sexual battery, aggravated battery and aggravated assault charges. In that case a female acquaintance alleged he raped her, stole her phone and held her in a bedroom at knife-point. He also had a case dismissed around the same time after he was accused of calling in a bomb threat at The Granada, 1020 Mass.

somedude20 2 years, 10 months ago

This felon is quite the triple threat. Drugs, rape and terroristic threats, wow his mother and father must be so proud. This goon has all the skills to work for ole Brownback

somebodynew 2 years, 10 months ago

Something tells me this won't be the last time we see this name related to criminal activity. He has already slid by with quite a few charges dropped. I just hate to see what might be next.

MarcoPogo 2 years, 10 months ago

Another Mensa member escapes the clink.

Clickker 2 years, 10 months ago

One of the reasons he appears to be habitually "let off" is that sometimes law enforcement may find it to thier advantage to have a 'criminal' working on the outside......if you know what I mean.

Keith 2 years, 10 months ago

My thoughts exactly. Who got rolled on.

Matthew Herbert 2 years, 10 months ago

GEEESH. Of all the people to let off the hook - this guy? It sounds like this young man should not be released back into the public. Locking this guy up would benefit society.

jhawkinsf 2 years, 10 months ago

Gotta wonder if the police recently implicated in fixing tickets were involved in this investigation. Perhaps, and I'm just guessing, without their testimony, there is not enough evidence. And of course, any testimony they would give would come under scrutiny. Just guessing.