COLUMBUS, MS — Authorities in Lowndes County have arrested Edward Lawrence Kidd, 40, of Columbus, Mississippi, on multiple charges after a GPS ankle monitor helped tie him to a recent burglary and firearm violation — despite the fact that he was already under state supervision and on probation.
The arrest of Kidd, a convicted felon, has renewed concerns about the limitations of GPS monitoring systems in preventing repeat offenses.
June 24 Burglary on Lee Stokes Road
The case began on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, when deputies with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reported burglary in the 1200 block of Lee Stokes Road. Upon arrival, they found the interior garage door forced open and learned from the homeowner that a pair of black work boots had been stolen.
The homeowner named Edward Kidd as the likely suspect. Deputies and detectives responded to the scene and began collecting evidence.
June 29 Disturbance Leads to Firearm Discovery
On Sunday, June 29, deputies were again dispatched — this time to 1260 Lee Stokes Road — in response to a disturbance at the residence of William Kidd, Edward’s father. William reported hearing a loud altercation involving Edward and another individual upstairs and allowed deputies to investigate.
Inside Edward Kidd’s bedroom, deputies found a 12-gauge Stoeger shotgun propped against the wall. Aware of Kidd’s status as a convicted felon, they seized the weapon and contacted detectives, though Kidd was not present at the time.
GPS Data Links Edward Kidd to Crime
The next day, Monday, June 30, detectives confirmed that Edward Kidd was on probation and wearing an MDOC-issued ankle monitor. Upon request, Kidd’s probation officer provided GPS data, which clearly placed Kidd at the scene of the June 24 burglary during the time of the incident.
With that information, detectives obtained two arrest warrants — one for burglary and another for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The ankle monitor’s real-time tracking also showed Kidd’s current location at his residence. Deputies, along with officers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, responded and arrested Edward Kidd without incident. They also recovered the stolen black work boots from the home.
Sheriff Speaks on System Shortcomings
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins voiced concern about the effectiveness of ankle monitors, stating:
“The Mississippi Department of Corrections’ GPS program was designed to track defendants in real-time and maintain a record of their locations. This case raises questions about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring as an alternative to jail. The ankle monitor clearly does not prevent individuals like Edward Kidd from violating their release or committing additional crimes.”
Detainment and Next Steps
Edward Lawrence Kidd is currently being held in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center. No bond has been set, and he is awaiting his initial court appearance on the new felony charges.
The investigation remains ongoing, but authorities believe the arrest of Kidd, aided by GPS data, highlights both the value and limitations of electronic monitoring in supervising convicted offenders.