BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

BEAUTY — Copper theft that left thousands without phone and internet service during recent flash flooding led to the arrest of a Beauty man by Martin County Sheriff John Kirk.

Ricky J. Sartin, 60, was arrested April 9 at his residence on Gordon Hollow Road and charged with receiving stolen property under $10,000.

Sheriff Kirk said the arrest followed an anonymous tip linking Sartin to the theft of communications cable April 6 in Beauty.

The vandalism occurred around 3 a.m. when suspects cut approximately 200 feet of Optimum fiber cable and 200 feet of AT&T phone line on Gordon Hollow. The damage caused a widespread service outage across the county and left residents unable to reach 911.

Deputies found tools left behind at the scene, including wire snips, a makeshift step ladder, and a blue University of Kentucky ballcap.

Sheriff Kirk responded to the tip personally and questioned Sartin at his home. While Sartin initially denied any involvement, he allowed the sheriff to look around the residence. Kirk found aluminum casing in an outbuilding. He then uncovered 71 pounds of stripped copper hidden in a pillowcase inside the house.

The case remains under investigation. Authorities have not said whether they are seeking additional suspects.