MOORE COUNTY, NC — Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced three arrests in connection with the October 12 incident that damaged Spectrum and Brightspeed fiber-optic lines, leaving many residents without internet service. The case recalled a December 3, 2022, attack on Duke Energy substations that left 45,000 residents and businesses without power for five days and resulted in one death.
The damaged lines are located along Old Morganton Road near Pine Lawn Cemetery in Southern Pines. Previously, intentional damage to these lines caused widespread service outages affecting thousands of customers.
On October 24, Moore County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Mitchell Campbell, 43, and Mario Dockery, 44, both from Hoke County. Campbell faces three counts of felony injury to utility wires, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny, while Dockery faces felony accessory after the fact to injury to utility wires. Both were booked into the Moore County Detention Center without bond and are scheduled for District Court appearances on November 13, 2025.
Later that same day, Charles Donnelly, 44, also of Hoke County, was arrested and charged with two counts of felony injury to utility wire, felony conspiracy, and felony attempted larceny. Donnelly is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on November 12.
Investigators determined that the incident was an attempted wire theft, which caused significant disruption to communications and internet services across Moore County. The investigation involved coordination with the Pinebluff Police Department, Candor Police Department, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, NC SBI, and Anson County Sheriff’s Office, as leads extended into multiple jurisdictions. Additional arrests are expected.
The case carries enhanced penalties under North Carolina’s Protect Critical Infrastructure Act, sponsored by Senator Tom McInnis. The legislation strengthens state law against intentional damage to energy, communications, and utility infrastructure, reflecting the state’s commitment to safeguarding essential services and ensuring accountability.
This is the second major wire-theft investigation in Moore County in recent months that caused widespread service disruption, highlighting the serious penalties for such crimes under the strengthened infrastructure protection laws.
