BARBOURVILLE, KY - According to Sheriff Mike Smith, on Wednesday morning January 24, 2024, Knox County, KY Detective Jesse Smith was dispatched to a call of an unknown subject cutting copper wire out of phones and internet boxes on KY 11.
Once on scene, Detective Smith observed the large phone line from the utility pole to the box was missing and had been cut from the ground belonging to Windstream.
Several locks and smaller wires were also cut from those same boxes.
Through his investigation, Detective Smith determined the identity of a suspect identified as 44-year-old Tony Dezarn of Manchester, KY.
Inside Dezarn's vehicle was found the same wiring that was removed from the KY 11 location.
Dezarn was arrested and transported to the Knox County Detention Center.
Tony Dezarn was charged with:
- Theft by unlawful taking over $10,000 but under $1,000,000
- Criminal mischief - 1st degree.
This individual was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.
Photo is Courtesy of the Knox County Detention Center.
The investigation is continuing under the direction of Detective Jesse Smith.
