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Clark Co., KY man, woman indicted in copper wire thefts 89-count indictment details alleged thefts from lighting systems at interchanges on Kentucky highways By Chuck Wolfe FRANKFORT, KY (23 Dec 2014) - A Clark County man and woman 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, December 22, against Aaron Ferguson and his wife, 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. Aaron Ferguson and Cindy Ferguson each 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," Secretary 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. Secretary Hancock announced that the reward will remain in effect. "It's hoped this indictment will be a deterrent to further copper thefts on our highways, but we cannot make that assumption," he said. Those with information can report it in multiple ways:
This story was posted on 2014-12-23 12:20:35
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