May 28, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
A man charged with stealing more than $5,600 in electricity from Caney Fork Electric Cooperative almost three years ago appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court Tuesday, May 28.
50-year-old Shawn Edward Soales entered a plea to theft of services over $2,500 and received a two-year TDOC sentence on supervised probation. He was ordered to make restitution of $5,601 to Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.
Soales was arrested in October, 2021 after it was discovered that he had created an electrical bypass which allowed him to have use of electric power without being charged for it.
The charge against him alleged that “on October 11 Soales altered and tampered with electrical wires established by Caney Fork Electric Cooperative to obtain and divert those services for his own benefit. Soales altered the wires to bypass the meter used to measure the amount of electricity used at his residence therefore bypassing any billing. Caney Fork Electric Cooperative showed this residence as a vacant account since February 21, 2020 and the estimated amount owed is $5,601,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old John Phillip Petrone, Jr. entered a plea to burglary and received a two-year TDOC sentence on supervised probation but was given jail credit of 46 days. He must make restitution of $715 jointly and severally with a co-defendant in the case.
33-year-old Kieran Walker entered a plea by criminal information to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams and received a six-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000 and given 52 days jail credit.