Two people pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of federally-licensed communications lines related to the theft of copper from four local radio towers, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
“These defendants admitted to breaking into and seriously damaging radio towers," Dettelbach said. “We will continue to protect the infrastructure in our region."
Thomas M. Carbone, 28, of North Royalton, and Katie M. Stanton, 23, of Cleveland, are scheduled to be sentenced on April 30.
On or about August 17 to 18, 2012, Carbone and Stanton unlawfully entered the property of Radio One on Ridge Road in North Royalton, Ohio, and willfully and maliciously destroyed and removed copper material from four radio-station towers situated on the property, according to court documents.
This unlawful removal of copper depleted the signal strength of the supported radio station, thereby impeding the station’s ability to broadcast emergency messages, according to court documents.
Emergency repairs cost nearly $11,000 while permanent repairs will cost an estimated $125,000, although specific figures are still being calculated, according to court documents.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas E. Getz and M. Kendra Klump. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Royalton Police Department.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
