ABERDEEN — According to Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Randle, a seventh person has been arrested since an investigation was launched into the Aberdeen Electric Department approximately two months ago.
Anthony Charles Bailey, 42, 811B S. Chestnut St. in Aberdeen, has been charged with felonious theft of utilities.
Related Aberdeen resident arrests
- Sandra Chism was arrested by the APD for felonious theft of public utilities.
- Martha Davidson Nevitt was arrested by the APD for felonious theft of public utilities.
- Norma Buckingham Walker was arrested by the APD for felonious theft of public utilities.
- Ricky Garth — a cousin of city Electric Department Manager Adrian Garth and brother of Ward 2 Alderman and Vice Mayor Cloyd Garth — turned himself into officers with the APD on charge of felonious theft of electricity. Garth alluded authorities for two weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Jan. 22.
n Aberdeen Electric Department Manager Adrian Garth was arrested on charges of two counts of felonious extortion. The Aberdeen Board of Aldermen in January accepted his resignation.
Adrian Garth”s arrest stems from statements Randle had received concerning some “serious allegations” made against Garth and his position of authority.
“We have had some people come forward and make statements that they have been asked to exchange sexual favors in lieu of paying for their electricity,” Randle had said. “These are very serious allegations and we now have enough evidence to charge (Garth) with extortion.”
An official investigation into the Aberdeen Electric Department began after a special-called aldermen meeting, where board members went into executive session to discuss a meter missing from the Aberdeen Electric Department, which was allegedly on the home of terminated employee Charles Hales” home.
“I want to make this clear — this is not about Charles Hale,” Cloyd Garth said at the time. “This is an ongoing investigation. The board is concerned how city property could disappear from the warehouse.”
- Aberdeen First Pentecostal Church minister Ricky Bowen was arrested for obstruction of justice and receiving stolen property. Randle said Bowen withheld information the police department needed to make arrests.
Bowen was charged with receiving stolen property after a meter taken from then-electric department employee Charles Hale was allegedly given to Bowen. Bowen has never admitted to having the meter in his possession, but he has stated that he fully informed Aberdeen Mayor Jim Ballad about the circumstances surrounding Hale”s meter.
According to Randle, the investigation was launched internally after Ballard said a meter found on the home of former electric department employee Charles Hale was placed into the hands of some private citizens.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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