Charged with 89 counts of alleged thefts from lighting systems at interchanges
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2014) — A Clark County couple have been indicted on felony charges involving theft of copper wire from lighting systems on Kentucky highways.
A Franklin County grand jury returned an 89-count indictment on Monday against Aaron and Cindy Ferguson.
The charges were developed with the assistance of information provided by an informant who responded to the offer of a $2,500 reward by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).
Aaron Ferguson is being held in the jail in Clark County, where he and Cindy Ferguson also have been charged in a string of thefts. The investigation of copper wire theft by the KYTC Office of Inspector General coincided with several burglary and vehicle break-in investigations by Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue Jr., and the two agencies teamed up to apprehend the Fergusons.
They were indicted on 22 counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition amounting to $500 or more but less than $10,000 and 22 counts of first-degree criminal mischief. Aaron Ferguson also was indicted on 45 counts of being a persistent felony offender, first degree. All 89 counts are Class D felonies, each punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison.
Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said it was hoped the indictment will put an end to a crime wave that has victimized KYTC and Kentucky taxpayers who ultimately pay the bill for replacing wiring and repairing vandalized lights.
“Theft of copper wire from highway lights has caused millions of dollars in damage—damage that far exceeds the value of the wire when it is sold for salvage,” Hancock said. “It’s a double loss to taxpayers because the cost of repairing our lighting systems takes away from other maintenance responsibilities of the Transportation Cabinet.”
To support the 22 theft counts, the indictment details 22 incidents, from April through November 2014, in which copper wire was illegally taken from lighting systems on interstates and parkways in nine counties — Bath, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Laurel, Nelson, Scott and Woodford. The crimes occurred on Interstates 64, 65, 75 and 265 and the Bluegrass Parkway.
Corresponding with the 22 theft counts are 22 criminal mischief counts for damage to the KYTC lighting standards. Each of the theft and criminal mischief charges supports a persistent-felon charge against Aaron Ferguson.
Evidence amassed against the Fergusons was turned over to Franklin County Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland, who presented the case to the Franklin County grand jury on Monday. The grand jury returned the indictment the same day. The charges were brought in Franklin County because it is the seat of Kentucky state government and site of the KYTC headquarters.
In October, KYTC and Kentucky State Police jointly announced a reward of up to $2,500, paid from KYTC maintenance funds, for information leading to criminal prosecution of those responsible for copper wire theft from highway lights. The reward offer is open to anyone who can provide the necessary information, and their identities can be kept confidential.
Those with information can report it in multiple ways:
- Call the KSP Hotline at (800) 222-5555.
- Call Investigator Chuck Hines, KYTC Office of Inspector General, at (502) 330-0441 or (502) 564-0501.
- By confidential text message to 67283. Type KSPTIP in the message field, leave a space and enter information about a crime. If the tip goes through, the sender will receive an instant confirmation text. Texting is completely confidential and telephone callers’ names also can remain confidential.
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