SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES 10-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR COPPER CAPER

A Spartanburg man received a 10-year prison sentence today after he was found guilty of possessing more than 100 pounds of copper that was stolen from a local business.

James Matthews, 44, pleaded guilty to obtaining property by false pretenses and receiving stolen goods. Circuit Judge Mark Hayes issued the maximum penalty allowed under state law for receiving stolen goods.

Matthews attempted to sell the stolen copper to a local recycling business on Feb. 13. The attempted transaction was recorded on company’s video surveillance system. The copper was stolen the previous night from Welder’s Supply House on Asheville Highway and sheriff’s deputies alerted local recyclers to be on the lookout for the stolen property a short time after receiving the larceny report.

Matthews’ prior criminal record included convictions for possession of cocaine, grand larceny, burglary, malicious injury to personal property and shoplifting.

Charges are still pending on a co-defendant of Matthews.