RLP NEWS
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has filed its first criminal case under newly expanded laws aimed at tackling organized retail theft, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to combat large-scale theft operations.
Demetrius Lamont Odom, 30, of Decatur, Georgia, has been charged in Lyon County District Court with multiple felonies, including identity theft, criminal use of a financial card, and conspiracy to commit the use of a financial card. The charges stem from allegations that Odom used stolen credit cards to defraud liquor stores in Emporia, Kansas, in July 2023. Prosecutors say Odom used someone else’s identity to make purchases valued between $1,000 and $25,000 at several businesses, including Emporia Liquor & Wine, Liquor Locker, and The Liquor Store.
This case follows recent legislative changes in Kansas that gave the attorney general’s office new authority to prosecute multi-county retail theft operations. Senate Bill 174, passed in 2023, made Kansas the first state to allow its attorney general to prosecute such crimes, and House Bill 2144, passed in 2024, further strengthened the state’s ability to combat organized retail crime.
“Fortunately, the legislature gave the Office of the Attorney General the authority to go after this pervasive form of crime,” Attorney General Kris Kobach said in a statement. “This prosecution is a significant milestone.”
The investigation into Odom’s activities has been extensive, involving 115 witnesses, including special agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement officers, and representatives from 17 liquor stores across multiple counties. Court records show that investigators believe Odom conspired with at least two others to carry out the crimes. One of his alleged accomplices, Dwayne Rhoden, is currently in custody in Kentucky on unrelated charges and has yet to be extradited to Kansas.
The charges against Odom represent a growing focus on organized retail theft, an issue that has gained national attention in recent years. Retailers such as Target have pointed to such thefts as a contributing factor in closing some stores. While organized retail crime has been a hot topic, some critics argue that retailers may be overstating its impact on their overall losses.
Odom’s first court appearance took place on Monday, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 21. If convicted, Odom faces significant penalties under Kansas’ new retail theft laws, which have made it easier for the attorney general to prosecute complex, multi-county theft operations.