SPARTANBURG WOMAN RECEIVES 30-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR COPPER THEFTS

A Spartanburg woman received a 30-year prison sentence today after she pleaded guilty to 69 charges related to the theft of copper.

Brenda McCoy, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of second-degree burglary, grand larceny, petty larceny and malicious injury to real property before Circuit Judge Mark Hayes.

McCoy was one of eight people arrested in the Spartanburg Public Safety Department’s “Operation Copperstopper.” Over a three-year period that ended in 2008, the group took copper from residents and rental property on the north and west sides of the city. The thieves often took copper from air conditioners and basements of empty homes and sold the property to scrap metal and recycling businesses. The property loss tops $184,000.

Judge Hayes’ sentence included more than $30,000 in restitution.

McCoy is the third defendant to receive a substantial prison sentence in recent months. Carl Parris, 39, of Spartanburg, received a 25-year prison sentence in December and Jackie Anderson Jr., 28, received a 60-year prison sentence on March 10.

“We want everyone to understand that the destruction of property will not be tolerated in the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County,” Principal Deputy Solicitor Barry Barnette said. “These sentences should relay the message.”

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892.