Three Suspects in Custody; Arrest Warrants Issued for Four More Suspects
CHARLESTON, W. Va., Aug 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — West Virginia State Police have arrested three individuals suspected of vandalizing Frontier Communications’ (NYSE:FTR, news, filings) network in Logan County, disrupting phone and Internet service and creating a public safety risk for customers. The three suspects are in custody and four more arrest warrants have been issued in connection with the vandalism.
The suspects — Mark Shawn Grimmett, Terry Lee Mcquithy and Ethel Gaye Lipscomb — were arrested on July 29, 2010 and face multiple felony charges. They were sent to Southwestern Regional Jail as Pre-Trial Felons; bail was set at $140,000 for Lipscomb and $150,000 each for Grimmett and Mcquithy. Frontier Communications is cooperating fully with the West Virginia State Police and Prosecutor.
There is a possibility of federal charges applying to the suspects, based on violations of laws pertaining to Homeland Security, interstate commerce and environmental protection.
Frontier is also committing significant resources in Logan County and throughout West Virginia to identify and detain any individuals who vandalize company property and disrupt service to customers.
“Frontier has zero tolerance for vandalism or sabotage against our network, and we are aggressive about finding those who disrupt service and endanger the public,” said Lynne Monaco, Frontier’s Corporate Director of Security. “We will work closely with law enforcement to ensure that anyone who interferes with the delivery of services to our customers is found and charged to the fullest extent of the law. Our all-out effort has resulted in convictions in the past as well as significant fines and jail time. Frontier will always seek restitution from those convicted for the full cost of the damage caused,” Monaco added.
Frontier is also putting recyclers and scrap dealers who deal in telecommunications materials on notice that they could also be subject to arrest and conviction for receiving stolen property, as well as aiding and abetting network vandalism.
Frontier is seeking the cooperation of its customers and the general public in putting a stop to this vandalism. Anyone with information about suspicious activity around Frontier’s network or property is asked to call Frontier Security at 1-800-590-6605 or to contact the West Virginia State Police.
About Frontier
Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) offers broadband, video and phone services to more than 620,000 residential and business customers in West Virginia and has approximately 2,100 employees in the state. Nationwide, the company serves 27 states with 14,800 employees. More information is available at http://www.frontier.com and http://www.frontier.com/ir.
SOURCE: Frontier Communications Corporation
Frontier Communications Corporation
Steve Crosby
SVP, Government and Regulatory Affairs
916-206-8198
steven.crosby@ftr.com
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