PAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged drug overdose death.

James Allen Roe, 58, Larned, appeared in custody Wednesday morning before Pawnee County Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell on a single count felony complaint filed by the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office.

According to a media release, Roe is charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance causing death alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County on or about July 27, 2015.

The controlled substance alleged to have been distributed was a fentanyl transdermal patch. The charge stems from an ongoing investigation by the Larned Police Department and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek related to the overdose death of Ryan J. Henderson.

Henderson, 33, was found non-responsive at his residence in Larned the morning of July 28, 2015.

If convicted, Roe faces a presumptive prison sentence between 147 months and 653 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.

Roe was arrested by the Larned Police Department at his home on January 30, 2018, without incident and is being held in the Pawnee County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for February 7, 2018.