An Elizabethton man faces a felony theft charge in connection with a July incident where a man reported someone had stolen a trained police dog from his home.

Deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department arrested Cory Brett Scalf, 20, of 621 S. Roan St., Elizabethton, on a warrant charging him with theft of property over $10,000.

The charge against Scalf stems from an incident on July 24 where the Elizabethton Police Department responded to a report of a stolen dog. As a result of the investigation, EPD Cpl. Kirk Carrier arrested 19-year-old James “Henry” Cline, of 921 Pine Ridge Circle, Apt. B, Elizabethton, on July 24 and charged him with theft of property over $10,000 and criminal trespass.

According to court documents, Scalf was suspected of participating in the theft of the dog but was not charged when Cline was arrested as officers continued to investigate his level of participation in the incident.

Officers were dispatched to the home of Joey Proffitt on Milligan Highway around 11:15 a.m. on July 24. When Carrier arrived, he spoke with Cline, Heather Julian, and Ashley Scalf, who told him they were concerned for the welfare of animals on the property.

Carrier said Proffitt returned home to speak with officers and informed them Cline, Julian, and Ashley Scalf did not have permission to be on his property.

According to court documents, officers found no evidence of neglect or abuse toward the animals at Proffitt’s home.

About two hours later, Carrier was called back to the home after Proffitt called 911 and reported someone had stolen his 7-year-old Malinois from his yard. Proffitt told officers the dog is from Europe and is a “certified KNPV PH1 trained police dog,” according to court documents. Proffitt told officers the dog is valued at $14,000.

Due to the previous incident at the home, Carrier said Cline, Julian, and Ashley Scalf were identified as possible suspects. Carrier and EPD Sgt. Curtis Bullock went to a home on South Roan Street in an attempt to locate either the suspects or the animal.

When officers arrived, they spoke with Julian and Ashley Scalf, who both said they did not know anything about the dog being stolen. Ashley Scalf told officers Cline had made statements about returning to Proffitt’s home.

Carrier said Julian called Cline and asked him to come to the home on South Roan Street. When Cline arrived, Carrier said Cory Scalf was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, and the missing dog was in the back seat.

On August 22, Carrier was contacted to appear in Carter County General Sessions Court regarding the case from July 24, as Cline was appearing in court that morning.

“Upon my arrival, the victim, Mr. Joey Proffitt, provided me with several pages of printed Facebook messages, several from Mr. Scalf,” Carrier said. “Some comments made in some of the messages from Mr. Scalf stated ‘Our plan was to take those poor dogs away…’ and ‘I had to get him out.’”

Carrier said he spoke with Scalf, who was in the courtroom that day, and Scalf admitted to sending the messages to Proffitt.

After speaking with Scalf, Carrier said he spoke with Assistant District Attorney General Ryan Curtis who advised him to charge Scalf in connection with the theft as well. Carrier then obtained a warrant for Scalf’s arrest which was served on him by Carter County deputies on Monday.

Scalf appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court on Tuesday morning. Judge Keith Bowers Jr. appointed attorney C.J. Roberts to represent Scalf, set his bond at $2,500, and scheduled him to return to court on Sept. 12. Cline is also scheduled to return to court on Sept. 12.