Warren County man sentenced to 20 years for selling stolen AT&T wire

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) —

A Warren County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to receiving stolen telecommunications wire that authorities said was transported across state lines and sold.

Robert Wadford pleaded guilty Monday morning to four counts of receiving stolen property. Judge James Chaney sentenced Wadford to 10 years with five years suspended on each count. The sentences will run consecutively, leaving Wadford with 20 years to serve.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland said the Warren County District Attorney’s Office is taking telecommunications wire theft seriously because the crimes have resulted in people losing internet service throughout the area.

During Monday’s proceedings, Southerland said Wadford sold some of the stolen wire in Vidalia, Louisiana.

The four counts stemmed from separate incidents involving stolen or damaged telecommunications equipment.

Count 1 involved approximately 300 feet of AT&T wire that was cut and stolen Jan. 15. The wire was valued at $1,029.

Count 2 involved approximately 200 feet of fiber-optic cable that was cut and stolen from Oak Ridge Road.

Count 3 involved damage to communications wire and utility poles on Halls Ferry Road. The poles were cut with a chainsaw, and the total damage was valued at more than $12,000.

Count 4 involved more than 100 feet of wire that was stolen from Mosley Gap Road.