Wire Theft Leads to Charges for Marion Man

A Marion man is facing felony charges after investigators say he was responsible for multiple thefts of communication wire near a local elementary school.

Detective Aaron Vallini with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Sammy Dalson Burleson, 23, of Marion, with two counts of felony injuring utility wires and fixtures. Burleson was issued a secured bond of $500,000.

According to the sheriff’s office, on December 1 Deputy Jack Gouge spoke with a Frontier employee who reported that approximately 100 feet of communication wire had been removed from an area near the school.

On December 8, Deputy Gouge was again checking the area when he noticed additional wire missing from the same location. After contacting a Frontier employee, it was determined that another 250 feet of cable had been removed.

Following an investigation, detectives determined that Burleson was responsible for both thefts. The case remains under investigation.