Illinois Residents Indicted for Stealing Copper Wire from Towers

Five residents from Illinois were recently indicted for stealing copper wire from cellular towers throughout 21 jurisdictions.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 40-year old Christina Weaver, 32-year old Bradley Quinelle Warren, 20-year old Taylor D. James, and 21-year old Haley S. James, all of Collinsville, IL, and 45-year old Wendell Ragsdale, of Springfield, IL; were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to maliciously interfere with communication lines by entering onto cellular tower sites.

According to the Indictment, between April 3, 2018 and August 1, 2018, Weaver, Ragsdale, Warren, Taylor James and Haley James conspired to obtain money by stealing copper grounding bars and copper wiring from cellular telephone towers, thereafter selling the stolen copper to metal salvage dealers in exchange for cash.

They reportedly entered over 80 cellular tower sites located in 21 different jurisdictions, damaging communications systems in the affected areas.

Defendants Warren and Weaver are also charged with one count of malicious interference with communications lines for their role in stealing copper grounding bars and copper wiring from a cellular telephone tower in Montgomery County, MO.

If convicted, the conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The malicious interference with communications lines carries a penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The case is still under investigation.