Ricky Edward Wood
Jeb Daniel Hart
Bobby Chris McGuffin
Harrison (Chip) Edward Orr
Heather Rapheal Jarema
Daniel Eugene Fortner
Evelyn Geneva Shead
(Walhalla, SC)------------------------------------An ongoing investigation into the thefts of Telecom Wire has led to the arrest of seven individuals, which include charges of theft of metals that disrupted service to customers in parts of Oconee County, and various other charges related to the thefts.
The Sheriff’s Office has been contacted in regards to reports of thefts of Telecom Wire after responding to disruption of telecommunications services. The thefts of the Telecom Wire occurred from utility poles. The thefts took place in January and February of this year and occurred on Pickens Highway near Walhalla, Highlands Highway and Sherwood Drive near Walhalla, and on Longcreek Highway near Westminster.
The arrests by Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Bureau have resulted in the clearing of 10 cases. At this time, the total cost of the Telecom Wire thefts, as it relates to materials and labor, is around $97,123.00.
Here are the names of the seven individuals arrested and their charges according to arrest warrants:
· Daniel Eugene Fortner
36 years old
Westminster, SC
Four counts of Metals/Obtaining Nonferrous Metals, Disruption of Service to Critical
Infrastructure or More than 10 Customers
Fortner was arrested on February 22nd, 2023 by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office
· Ricky Edward Wood
61 years old
West Union, SC
Two counts of Metals/Obtaining Nonferrous Metals, Disruption of Service to Critical
Infrastructure or More than 10 Customers
Fortner was arrested on February 13th, 2023 by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office
· Bobby Chris McGuffin
57 years old
Westminster, SC
Three counts of Metals/Obtaining Nonferrous Metals, Disruption of Service to Critical
Infrastructure or More than 10 Customers
McGuffin was arrested on February 14th, 2023 by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and released on bond with an electronic monitoring device. McGuffin was arrested on the additional charges on March 21st, 2023.
· Jeb Daniel Hart
59 years old
Walhalla, SC
Three counts of Metals/Obtaining Nonferrous Metals, Disruption of Service to Critical
Infrastructure or More than 10 Customers
Hart was arrested on February 12th, 2023 by the Walhalla Police Department
· Harrison (Chip) Edward Orr
Walhalla, SC
One count of Receiving Stolen Goods
During the execution of a search warrant on Lazy Hollow Lane near Walhalla by Investigators on February 9th of this year, Orr was in possession of aluminum casing from the Telecom Wire, according to an arrest warrant. Also according to an arrest warrant, Orr was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine for a quantity of narcotics that were seized inside the residence during the execution of the search warrant.
Orr was arrested on February 9th, 2023 by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office
· Heather Rapheal Jarema
42 years old
Walhalla, SC
One count of Accessory after the Fact of a Felony
According to an arrest warrant, Jarema is charged with transporting and disposing of the stolen Telecom Wiring.
Jarema was arrested on February 21st, 2023 by the Walhalla Police Department
· Evelyn Marie Shead
42 years old
Walhalla, SC
One count of Accessory after the Fact of a Felony
Shead was served an outstanding arrest warrant from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office for her role in assisting in the transportation of the stolen Telecom Wire for the purpose of the sale, and assisting in the sale, of the stolen Telecom Wire.
Shead was arrested by on February 21st, 2023 by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate five additional cases of Telecom Wire theft which have occurred on Longcreek Highway near Westminster, Clemson Highway near Seneca, and Broadway Street near Seneca.
Anyone with any information on these thefts of Telecom Wire can provide tips to Crimestoppers, where you don’t have to give your name, at oconeesccrimestoppers.com. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.