BAILEY, N.C. — A 47-year-old Apex man faces multiple felony charges after Nash County investigators accused him of targeting solar farm facilities in separate copper theft cases that allegedly caused significant damage and financial losses.
Jonathan Phelps was charged following investigations into two incidents at solar energy sites on Winters Road in Bailey, according to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities allege Phelps entered secured infrastructure properties, cut fencing surrounding the facilities, and removed thousands of feet of copper wiring connected to solar panels.
Court records show the alleged thefts caused an estimated $10,000 in losses at one of the sites, while another incident involved roughly 2,000 feet of copper wire and 40 electrical connectors taken from solar equipment.
Investigators Allege Repeated Targeting of Energy Facilities
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office said Phelps now faces several felony charges tied to the investigations, including felony injury to an energy facility, felony injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals, first-degree trespass on infrastructure, and felony larceny.
According to warrants issued May 7, investigators allege Phelps bypassed barriers protecting the solar farms by climbing over or otherwise breaching secured perimeter fencing.
One warrant states Phelps allegedly cut through the outer fence at a solar farm on Winters Road before removing copper wire from multiple solar panels.
In a separate case involving another nearby solar facility, investigators allege additional copper wiring was removed after fencing around the property was damaged.
Key Points
• Nash County deputies charged a 47-year-old Apex man in two solar farm copper theft cases
• Investigators allege thousands of feet of copper wire were stolen from Bailey energy facilities
• Jonathan Phelps faces multiple felony charges and is being held on a $125,000 bond
Copper Theft Cases Continue to Impact Infrastructure Sites
Copper thefts have increasingly targeted utility and infrastructure facilities because of the metal’s resale value, often leaving behind expensive repair costs and operational disruptions.
Solar farms can become vulnerable targets because of the extensive wiring systems used to connect panel arrays and electrical infrastructure across large properties.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details about whether investigators believe the incidents are connected to broader theft activity in the region.
Authorities also did not indicate whether service disruptions occurred at either solar farm following the alleged thefts and property damage.
Defendant Held on $125,000 Bond
Phelps remains accused, not convicted, of the offenses listed in the warrants.
Officials said the charges stem from separate incidents involving infrastructure facilities located along Winters Road in Bailey, a community in western Nash County.
The warrants against Phelps were issued May 7, and court records show bond was set at $125,000.
The investigation into the solar farm thefts remains ongoing.