A former Elizabethton Electric Department employee faces a felony theft charge after police say he stole electrical services from the system by bypassing the electric meter.

Deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jared Michael McKinney, 44, of 699 McCloud Road, Elizabethton, on Wednesday morning on an indictment charging him with theft of property more than $2,500 and less than $10,000.

The Carter County Grand Jury handed down the indictment against McKinney on Nov. 1. The indictment states that between November 2015 and June 5, 2017, McKinney committed the offense of theft by “exercising control” over electrical services belonging to the Elizabethton Electric Department. Under state law, theft of property over $2,500 classified as a “Class D” felony.

The charge against McKinney stems from an investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office. According to police reports, Elizabethton Electric Department Director Robert Toney contacted the Sheriff’s Office on August 15 to report the theft of services from the utility.

Toney told officers that McKinney, a former employee of the Elizabethton Electric Department, and another former employee had bypassed the electric meter at 699 McCloud Road to avoid paying for power usage, CCSO Deputy Christian Carrier said in a police report.

“Mr. Toney stated approximately $3,200 – $3,300 worth of services were stolen,” Carrier said.

Toney told the officer that pictures had been taken on May 16 and June 5 which showed the alterations made to the electrical components. Some time on June 5 after the photo had been taken the unit was returned to the proper working order, according to the report.

Carrier notes in his report that Toney had “a large packet of paperwork, statements, and photographs,” that he wished to turn over to investigators.

The case was assigned to CCSO Investigator Sgt. Travis Ludlow. On Nov. 1, Ludlow presented the findings of his investigation to the Grand Jury, which handed down the indictment later that same day.

McKinney was booked into the Carter County Detention Center on Wednesday morning but was later released after posting a $5,000 bond.