DILLON COUNTY, S.C. — Ronnie Summerford was sentenced to ten (10) years in prison following a guilty plea entered Tuesday in Dillon County General Sessions Court before the Honorable Judge Gibbons.
A jury was selected and sworn before Summerford elected to plead guilty to Malicious Injury to Real Property (over $10,000) and Grand Larceny ($2,000–$10,000).
According to evidence presented to the court, Summerford unlawfully entered the Duke Energy substation located off Leitner Road in Latta, South Carolina. He cut the perimeter fence to gain access to the secured facility and climbed a utility pole on the property. Using a grinder taken from his nephew’s truck, Summerford cut and removed more than $2,000 worth of copper wire from the site.
In the process of committing the theft, Summerford caused significant destruction to fixtures and infrastructure within the substation. Duke Energy reported repair costs exceeding $14,000.
Summerford has a history of prior property-related offenses and currently faces multiple additional pending charges in Dillon County.
This case was prosecuted by Senior assistaicitor John Jepertinger.
Solicitor Paul “Mike” Burch stated, “Targeting critical infrastructure is a serious criminal offense that puts the community at risk and results in significant financial harm. This ten-year sentence reflects the seriousness of these actions and our commitment to holding repeat property offenders accountable.”
Defendant Sentenced to 10 Years for Copper Theft and Damage to Duke Energy Substation
