ROCKINGHAM — Two Richmond County men, including one still on parole, are facing criminal charges related to the theft and sale of copper wire.
According to warrants, 39-year-old Charles Joseph Strickland, of Cordova, pulled down telecommunication lines on Mill Road — owned by AT&T — on April 16, resulting in $250,00 in damages.
The incident was reportedly called in by Sheriff Mark Gulledge.
Strickland is also accused of conspiring with 43-year-old Scott Patrick Abendroth, of Hamlet, to sell the copper wire to a scrap metal yard for $522.
Warrants were issued the following day and both men were arrested.
Strickland is charged with: injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals causing damage greater than or equal to $10,000; injuring utility wires or fixtures; conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses; obtaining property by false pretenses; felony larceny; and possession of stolen goods or property.
Records show Strickland was booked into the Richmond County Jail, where he was being held, at the time of writing, on a $25,000 secured bond.
Abendroth is charged with one count each of: conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses; obtaining property by false pretenses; and possession of stolen goods or property. He was given a $5,000 secured bond, which was posted the day of his arrest.
Both men are scheduled to appear in court May 7.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Strickland was released from prison in January following a 2022 conviction on the following charges: being a habitual felon; breaking and entering vehicles; other felony; possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; and misdemeanor larceny.
His parole was set to end Jan. 4, 2027.
Strickland also has the following prior convictions:
2003 - possessing stolen goods; receiving stolen goods
2004 - felony breaking and entering; injury to real property
2009 - misdemeanor larceny
2010 - obtaining property by false pretenses
2013 - habitual breaking and entering, felony breaking and entering
2015 - obtaining property by false pretenses
2017 - delivering or selling a Schedule II controlled substance
Abendroth appears to have no prior convictions in the state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
