As a result of his criminal actions — including the theft of a television — an Elkhart man now faces up to 15 years in prison.

A Cass County jury found 47-year-old Edward Franks guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion, second-degree home invasion and larceny in building during the man’s trial Wednesday. The jury, composed of six men and six women, rendered its verdict around 1 p.m., following a little more than an hour’s worth of deliberation.

During the trial, which began Tuesday morning, Cass County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle established that, on Jan. 25, 2017, an Ontwa Township resident left his M-62 residence to run some errands. At the time, his wife was in Oklahoma, visiting friends.

When the homeowner returned in the afternoon, he discovered two men sitting in the living room of their home. The individuals were Franks and his accomplice, 34-year-old Bradley Schraw. They were acquaintances of the homeowner’s adult son, all three of whom had a history of drug addiction.

The homeowner instructed Franks and Schraw to stay out of the home unless they had explicit permission to enter. He then gave them a ride to Elkhart and left for work.

Co-defendant Schraw testified for Vohwinkle that, when the homeowner dropped them off, he and Franks decided to double back and steal items for drugs. They drove to the M-62 residence, with Franks ultimately maneuvering the car over a frigid lawn and parking by the rear home entrance.

Schraw then went in and carted out numerous items, including the family’s 46-inch TV.

However, portions of the heist were witnessed by a neighbor, who called police to report the incident.

Ontwa Edwardsburg Police Department officers arrived within minutes, intercepting Franks and Schraw as they travelled away from the victim’s home. The big screen TV was found inside the vehicle, and both defendants were promptly arrested.

“What a dangerous scenario,” said Cass County Prosecutor Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz following Wednesday’s verdict. “These situations can lead to injury and death.”

Fitz also noted that both defendants should be aware that “The Cass County Jail and the Michigan Department of Corrections provide free TV.”

Schraw pleaded guilty on July 17 to conspiracy to commit home invasion and home invasion — both 15 year felonies.  He was sentenced on Aug. 25 to 243 days jail.

Franks will be sentenced in front of 43rd Circuit Court Judge Michael Herman at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 17.