Feb. 13, 2012
WICHITA, KAN. – A Cherokee County, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to pulling down an electrical pole in an effort to steal copper wire, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Jeffrey L. Blake, 39, Scammon, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of damaging an energy facility. In his plea, Blake admitted that on Sept. 7, 2011, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call of damage to property belonging to Heartland Rural Electric Company. When deputies arrived at the intersection of Kansas highway 103 and NE 10th in rural Cherokee County, they discovered Blake had stolen copper wire by pulling down an electrical pole, causing a second pole to fall. The destruction of the poles and theft of wire caused a radio station whose tower was at the site to be off the air for several hours.

Blake was arrested later when officers found him being held at gunpoint by a property owner who had come home to find Blake on his property and a copper coupling missing from his propane tank. The coupling and the stolen wire were found in the bed of Blake’s pickup.

Sentencing is set for April 30. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
 

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In a written release, Sheriff Groves stated, “It has truly been an honor to serve the citizens of Cherokee County as their Sheriff and I am excited about the upcoming campaign and the opportunity to continue to build on the tremendous progress we have made during my first term.”

Under Sheriff Groves’ leadership, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has made great strides in many areas, especially the use of technology.  Some examples include increasing transparency through a new user-friendly agency website and social media, real-time email updates to residents letting them know of sex, drug and violent offenders in their neighborhoods, video-conferencing, which allows the Court to hold some hearings by video rather than transporting a defendant to the Courthouse, digital fingerprinting and upgrades to 911 dispatching capabilities, to name just a few.

All of these improvements, and more, have been made while staying under budget.

In addition, Sheriff Groves has established and maintained partnerships with civic and private organizations, along with other emergency service agencies, in an effort to enhance services to our community.

Sheriff Groves is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central States Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the National Sheriff’s Institute, the United States Department of Justice’s Violence Against Women Institute, and the Kansas Sheriff’s Orientation Class of 2008, along with many other certifications and training.

Sheriff Groves also currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Tri-State Major Case Squad, and is on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Sheriff’s Association, Southeast Kansas Drug Enforcement Task Force, Cherokee County Ambulance Association, 11^th Judicial District Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Labette Community College Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board.

“I am honored by the overwhelming support the community has shown me during my first term and I’m committed to continuing progress within the Sheriff’s Office by increasing efficiency and continuing to develop an agency that is service oriented and focused on making Cherokee County a safer place for all of us.  I invite all residents to take a few moments to view our campaign website at www.grovesforsheriff.com and to follow our campaign throughout the year on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grovesforsheriff and Twitter @SheriffGroves,” concluded Groves.