Jury finds Lawrence man guilty of making a criminal threat and theft

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury found Maurice Anthony Mahan, 53, of Lawrence, guilty of a felony count of making a criminal threat and a misdemeanor count of theft.

“Threats of violence are unacceptable in any context and the verdict ensures the threat will be met with consequences,” District Attorney Valdez said.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 21, 2023, when Mahan placed items in a suitcase while at the Walmart Superstore, located at 3300 Iowa St., and left the store without paying for the items. When a store employee told Mahan to stop, Mahan threatened to shoot the employee before walking away. Lawrence police officers arrested Mahan a short time later.

Senior Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald and Legal Intern Emily O’Donnell represented the State of Kansas. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department.

Judge Amy Hanley set Mahan’s sentencing for 9:30 a.m. on May 31, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Mahan faces between five and 17 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for the criminal threat conviction and up to one year in the county jail for the theft conviction.