Boulder County, Colo. -- Benjamin Harmon was arrested on October 19, 2024, after being indicted by the Grand Jury. Mr. Harmon is now charged with forty counts, including twenty-one drug felonies for distributing psylocibin (mushrooms) to minors (some of the distribution took place within one-thousand feet of a school), sexual assault on a child using force, sexual exploitation of a child, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for providing marijuana and alcohol to minors.

The investigation started after a fifteen-year-old child to whom Benjamin Harmon distributed psylocibin fell from a crane at a construction site after ingesting psylocibin. University of Colorado Police Department investigated the death because it occurred on University of Colorado property. The CU Police Department, the Boulder County Drug Task Force, and District Attorney’s Office worked together to investigate the death and surrounding circumstances.

The initial charges against this defendant included DF1 Distribution of a Controlled Substance to Minor in connection with providing the mushrooms prior to the boy’s death, as well as a DF1 Attempted Distribution of a Controlled Substance to Minor because he showed up to sell to the same minor again on a deal set up by the using the minor’s phone. Following the arrest, the investigation continued and resulted in this indictment.

After obtaining Benjamin Harmon’s social media and bank account records, investigators located at least nineteen other child victims to whom Benjamin Harmon distributed drugs, including one who Benjamin Harmon sexually assaulted at gun point, and one from whom Benjamin Harmon obtained child sexual abuse materials.

All the victims reflected in the charges in this indictment are high school students in Boulder County. The parents of those kids have been notified of the investigation and prosecution. There is concern, however, that there may be other victims. Specifically, if you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault perpetrated by Benjamin Harmon, we encourage you to call CUPD’s non-emergency number at 303-492-6666 and reference case number 2024-1101.

DA Michael Dougherty stated, “The loved ones of the 15-year-old boy who was killed continue to suffer from a terrible and tragic loss. The extensive investigation into his death has led the CU Police Department, Drug Task Force, and DA team to identify other kids being harmed and exploited through drug distribution conducted over a social media app. We are strongly committed to securing the right outcome in this case.”

Chief of Police John Monahan stated, “CUPD conducted a thorough investigation in partnership with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. Our thoughts are with all the victims, and their family and friends, during this difficult time.”

As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.