(WKYT) – A Kentucky man has been arrested for his alleged role in the theft of over 1,200 feet of telephone cable from AT&T near Fort Boonesborough State Park in Madison County.
Sixty-year-old James Parks is charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition between $10,000 and $1 million.
According to an arrest citation, the Kentucky State Police identified 60-Parks as part of the scheme along with his girlfriend and her son.
Investigators determined that Parks’ girlfriend and her son went to a location on Kentucky 388 just south of the state park, where they cut the cable and transported it to a campsite on the Clark County side of the Kentucky River.
Parks’ girlfriend told investigators that she would stay in a vehicle while he cut the wire, and then she would help him strip it.
The girlfriend’s son would then transport the cable to Stuff’s Recycling in Clark County in his personal vehicle and give the proceeds from its sale to Parks.
No charges have been filed against Parks’ girlfriend and her son, but investigators said in the arrest citation that they are forthcoming.
The theft caused internet outages to 20 homes in the area and left residents with limited cell phone reception. The cost of the stolen wire is estimated at $19,800.
Parks was arraigned earlier Monday in Madison County District Court.
He is currently lodged at the Madison County Detention Center.