Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced that three arrests have been made in connection with the Oct. 12 incident that damaged Spectrum and Brightspeed fiber-optic lines, leaving some people without internet. The incident reminded many Moore County residents of Dec. 3, 2022, when two Duke Energy electrical substations in Carthage and West End were damaged by gunfire, knocking out power for five days for 45,000 residents and businesses. One person died as a result of the power outage.
The lines are located along Old Morganton Road near Pine Lawn Cemetery in Southern Pines and were previously intentionally damaged, resulting in thousands of customers losing service.Â
On Oct. 24, it was announced that sheriff’s investigators arrested Mitchell Campbell, 43, and Mario Dockery, 44, both of Hoke County in connection with the crime. Campbell is facing three counts of felony injury to utility wires, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny. Dockery is facing charges of felony accessory after the fact to injury to utility wires. Both were booked into the Moore County Detention Center without bond and are scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Nov. 13, 2025.
Later the same day, Sheriff Fields announced a third arrest in the case. Charles Donnelly, 44, of Hoke County, was charged with two counts of felony injury to utility wire, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny. Donnelly was booked into the Moore County Detention Center without bond and is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Nov. 12.
From the start of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reported that the circumstances observed at the scene were consistent with an attempted wire theft. Investigators evaluated all potential motives as the case progressed, and evidence confirmed that the incident was an attempted theft of wiring material.
Although the motive was theft, the damage caused significant disruption to communications and internet service across portions of Moore County.
As the investigation developed, Sheriff’s investigators coordinated with the Pinebluff Police Department, Candor Police Department, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Anson County Sheriff’s Office after leads extended into other jurisdictions. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
This case carries enhanced penalties under North Carolina’s Protect Critical Infrastructure Act, sponsored by Senator Tom McInnis, which strengthens state law against intentional damage to energy, communications, and utility infrastructure. The legislation increases penalties for such offenses and reflects the state’s commitment to protecting essential systems and ensuring accountability for crimes that disrupt critical services.
This is the second major wire-theft investigation in recent months in Moore County that resulted in widespread service disruption. Both incidents have led to criminal charges under the strengthened infrastructure protection laws, highlighting the ongoing problem of wire theft across the region and the serious penalties these crimes now carry.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at 910-947-2931.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
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