MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio (AVC News) — A Columbus man suspected in 37 retail thefts in Franklin County has been sentenced to four years in prison for four separate theft offenses in Muskingum County.
Dejuan Edwards was sentenced by Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Gerald Anderson to the maximum sentence allowed by law. The four Muskingum County offenses involved thefts from Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Edwards was on probation in Franklin County when the Muskingum County offenses occurred.
According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began Jan. 6, 2026, when Zanesville Police Detective Jason Keck investigated a theft from the Zanesville Home Depot.
Keck determined Edwards stole approximately $2,360 worth of DeWalt tools, including saws, drivers and vacuums.
Keck later identified Edwards as the suspect in three additional thefts from Lowe’s and Home Depot in Muskingum County.
Those four cases are separate from the 37 retail thefts Edwards is suspected of committing in Franklin County.
A review of Franklin County court records by the prosecutor’s office found nine separate felony theft cases filed against Edwards. He was most recently sentenced to probation in Franklin County in June after a recommendation for community control. At the time, he had an active warrant from Muskingum County related to the separate theft offenses.
During sentencing in Muskingum County, Edwards’ attorney argued that a brief period of incarceration in 2023 had caused him to change his behavior. Prosecutors pointed to his continued theft activity in Franklin and Muskingum counties.
Assistant Muskingum County Prosecutor John Litle said the case demonstrates the importance of consequences for repeat offenders.
“We are lucky in Muskingum County to have a wise judiciary that prioritizes public safety, community productivity and our local job creators,” Litle said.
Litle said organized retail theft has become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies across Ohio.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and other Columbus-area law enforcement agencies recently formed the F.O.R.C.E. task force to address organized retail theft and habitual offenders.
Detective Keck investigated the Muskingum County offenses. Litle prosecuted the case, with Assistant Prosecutor Michael Hughes handling the sentencing hearing.
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 by AVC News
