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Ohio Copper Crew Gets Prison Time
Northeast Ohio’s power grid was targeted in a brazen scheme that saw a crew of thieves systematically stripping copper from substations, and now the consequences are being handed down. Michael T. Butts, 33, of Brooklyn, Ohio, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal copper from two dozen substations owned by First Energy or Cleveland Public Power, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
Butts wasn’t working alone. He and six other men previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to damage energy facilities. William Bertini, 26, of Olmsted Falls, received two years. Christopher M. Butts, 27, of Cleveland, got four years and seven months. Jason B. Kauffman, 35, of Cleveland, will serve three years and one month. Julio Torres, 46, of Cleveland, received two years and three months. Jon T. Lefort, 26, of Cleveland, was sentenced to one year and three months, while Keven Wenson, 22, of Lakewood, received two years of supervised release. In addition to prison time, Michael Butts was ordered to pay over $242,626 in restitution to First Energy Corp. by U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson.
“These sentences should send a message that the theft of copper and other scrap metal is a serious problem in our region, and the targeting of energy facilities additionally poses a significant threat to our national security infrastructure,” stated U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach. The operation, which spanned January to May 2013, impacted substations in Brooklyn, Parma, Brecksville, Fairlawn, Medina, Cleveland, Wadsworth, Lakewood, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Vermillion, Lorain, Avon Lake, Westlake and Valley View. Court documents reveal the thieves specifically targeted the copper material around the base of the substations, crucial for electricity transmission.
Removing this copper wasn’t a victimless crime. Authorities say it created a “substantial risk of electrical blackouts” and put utility workers in danger during maintenance and repair. The crew, led by Christopher and Michael Butts, weren’t amateurs. They instructed each other on how to remove the material safely—minimizing risk *to themselves* while maximizing profit. They used bolt cutters to bypass security and carried the stolen copper in garbage cans, duffel bags, and contractor bags to “staging areas” before hauling it off to scrap yards for cash.
The scope of the operation was significant. The indictment detailed 25 copper thefts and five attempted thefts, with 53 instances of the defendants selling stolen copper to area scrap yards between January and April 2013. While they collectively pocketed over $15,000 from the sales, the damage they caused far outweighed their earnings. The collective restitution ordered to First Energy Corp. totals $242,626, covering the cost of repairs to the damaged substations.
“This is the last of a group of seven that chose to enrich themselves while risking lives and posing serious threats to our community,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office. The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the FBI, Avon Lake Police Department, Brecksville Police Department, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Middleburgh Heights Police Department, Valley View Police Department, Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center, and assistance from the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Getz and M. Kendra Klump prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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