CLEARFIELD: Five individuals charged in a wide-ranging copper and telecommunications wire theft scheme spanning remote areas of Clearfield and Centre Counties appeared in court this week, as prosecutors outlined an investigation that has stretched back nearly two years and continues to grow.

Authorities say the thefts caused repeated service disruptions, significant property damage, and thousands of dollars in losses, prompting an extensive, multi-agency investigation.

Charges And Court Proceedings

Among those charged is Jason Lee Hoover, 48, of LeContes Mills, who faces 18 felony counts each of disruption of service, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and theft of secondary metal, along with three misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Hoover waived his right to a preliminary hearing during centralized court Wednesday, advancing the case to the Court of Common Pleas. His bail is set at $100,000.

Barry Wayne Martell, 37, of Woodland, is charged with 17 felony counts each of disruption of service, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and theft of secondary metal. He also waived his hearing. His bail was reduced from $200,000 to $100,000.

Damion Scott McGary, 31, of Curwensville, faces 14 felony counts of disruption of service and criminal mischief, along with 13 counts each of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and theft of secondary metal. He waived his hearing prior to Wednesday and remains incarcerated on $200,000 bail.

Robert Joseph Gavlock, 48, of Frenchville, is charged with four felony counts each of disruption of service, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and theft of secondary metal. He waived his hearing and remains jailed on $50,000 bail.

Investigators allege the thefts occurred between March 2024 and November 2025.

How The Investigation Unfolded

According to affidavits of probable cause, law enforcement began investigating in March 2024 after repeated reports of telephone cable and wire being cut in isolated locations. Police say the wire was stripped of its insulation and burned to remove remaining coatings, leaving bare copper that could be sold at scrap yards.

Investigators relied on tire track analysis, surveillance footage, and scrap yard transaction records to identify suspects and link sales of copper wire to specific theft dates.

McGary was taken into custody on December 21, 2024, and later admitted to stealing and selling wire. Scrap yard records confirmed his sales aligned with reported thefts.

An all-terrain vehicle seen near a theft site in Girard Township between Decmber 19^th and 20^th (2024), was traced to Hoover. Another theft on January 6, 2025, was also linked to him, with scrap yard documentation showing repeated large copper transactions.

When Hoover was arrested on January 11, 2025, police searched his vehicle and reportedly found overflowing buckets of copper wire, intact telephone cable, cutting tools, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Still photographs from scrap yards allegedly show Hoover and McGary selling wire matching the stolen materials.

Additional Suspects And Related Arrests

Police say messages recovered from Hoover’s phone indicated Gavlock’s involvement, and scrap yard records showed Gavlock selling copper wire during the same time frames as the thefts.

Martell was identified as an associate of Hoover, with records showing he also sold large quantities of copper wire. After Martell was reportedly turned away from a scrap yard following Hoover’s arrest, Desarae Kariss Ann James, of Woodland, allegedly attempted to sell copper wire on his behalf.

James is charged with felony receiving stolen property, waived her hearing Wednesday, and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Additional Cases And Prior Convictions

Hoover and Martell were also scheduled for preliminary hearings on a separate November 2024 case in Girard Township, where a victim reported someone entered a barn, removed a ladder, and used it to cut wires on the property. A witness told police Hoover and Martell were responsible.

District Judge James Glass ruled that all charges in that case be forwarded to county court. Bail for both men was set at $100,000.

In November, Hoover pleaded guilty in an unrelated case involving a break-in at a drilling rig. He was convicted of felony criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, and misdemeanor possession of instruments of crime. President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced him to five months to three years in state prison.

Hoover and Martell are also facing additional felony charges connected to the burglary of a Penelec substation in Bigler Township between November 21^st and November 25^th (2024). Investigators say wire and spools valued at more than $10,000 were stolen after a padlock was cut. A witness reported seeing the wire at Hoover’s residence and claimed Hoover and Martell said it came from a power plant.

Those charges remain pending.

Ongoing Proceedings

McGary is additionally charged in connection with a Dec. 21, 2024, wire theft in Pike Township. He has signed a plea agreement in that case and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24^th.