Georgia man sentenced in retail crime prosecution

TOPEKA – (Sept. 30, 2025) – A Lyon County Judge sentenced a Georgia man to prison with probation and ordered the defendant to pay full restitution to affected retailers, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced today.

“Retail crime has affected every Kansan. Prices have risen and everyday items are locked behind plastic barriers at stores. My office is committed to addressing this problem and putting these criminals behind bars,” Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.

Judge W. Lee Fowler sentenced Jahzavya White, 31, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, on Sept. 25 to 24 months in prison, 18 months of probation and ordered White to pay more than $11,740 in restitution. In August, White pled guilty to three counts of identity theft, criminal use of a financial card and conspiracy to commit criminal use of a financial card. White traveled from Georgia to Kansas to engage in a coordinated scheme to defraud multiple liquor stores in Lyon County.

“Organized retail crime is a growing problem in our state as well as across the country, destroying small businesses, fueling further criminal enterprises and endangering law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Lauren Watson. “The resolution in this case speaks to Kansas’s resolve to hold defendants fully accountable for their actions, while also working to make victims whole through restitution. It sends a clear message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated, and we will pursue those responsible until they are brought to justice.”

At Kobach’s request, Kansas legislators in 2023 passed a law that allows prosecutors to seek felony charges in retail crimes and organized retail crime cases rather than pursuing minor theft charges.

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