For immediate release
Georgia man faces charges for retail theft
TOPEKA - (Sept. 24, 2024) - A Georgia man charged with identity theft, criminal use of a financial card, and conspiracy to commit criminal use of a financial card, entered his first appearance in a Kansas courtroom Monday afternoon, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today announced.
Demetrius Odom waived an extradition hearing to face charges related to retail crime in Lyon County. With an alleged co-conspirator, Odom allegedly stole from a series of liquor stores throughout Kansas. His co-defendant, Dwayne Rhoden, was arrested in July in Kentucky on unrelated felony charges. Rhoden refused to waive extradition, and the state is seeking a Governor’s warrant.
The case marks the first organized retail crime prosecution by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. In 2023, the Kansas Legislature passed a new law that allows prosecutors to seek felony charges in retail crimes and organized retail crime cases rather than pursuing minor theft charges.
“Fortunately, the legislature gave the Office of the Attorney General the authority to go after this pervasive form of crime. This prosecution is a significant milestone," Kobach said.
The court will conduct a preliminary hearing on Odom's charges at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the Lyon County Courthouse.
The charges in this case are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.
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