IFN Staff

A northern Iredell County man faces two felony charges and two misdemeanors following an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office investigation into stolen timber.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Jonathan Ray Lowman, 39, of Lundy Road, Statesville, in a news release.

On Saturday, January 18, deputies were dispatched to the 2800 block of Amity Hill Road in response to reports that a man was cutting down trees and blocking the road, Campbell said.

After arriving on the scene, deputies discovered the fallen trees had also damaged power lines and a parked vehicle, according to the news release. As a result, N.C. State Highway Patrol troopers and Duke Power personnel responded. Amity Hill Road was closed for several hours while repairs were made.

Deputies identified the individual who had cut down the trees as Lowman, who claimed he had permission from a property owner to cut down the trees, the sheriff said.

However, the investigation revealed that Lowman had crossed onto another person’s property without consent and cut additional trees without the owner’s knowledge, according to the news release.

ICSO Detective C. Davidson was assigned to the case and interviewed witnesses and property owners.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Lowman had illegally cut down multiple trees, caused thousands of dollars in damage, and sold the stolen trees to a local business for profit, Campbell said.

As a result, Detective Davidson obtained warrants charging Lowman with felony larceny, felony obtaining property by false pretenses, misdemeanor injury to trees, and misdemeanor injury to real property.

Lowman was arrested on Thursday, January 30, and transported him to the Iredell County Detention Center. Magistrate Johnson issued Lowman a $10,000 secured bond.

According to the ICSO, Lowman’s criminal record includes the following charges: two counts of Misdemeanor Allowing Livestock to Run At Large, two counts of Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Protection Order Violation, Felony Breaking and Entering, Felony Larceny, Felony Larceny of a Firearm, Felony Alter/Destroy Motor Vehicle Parts, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Felony Possession of a Phone by an Inmate, and Multiple Traffic Violations.

At the time of his arrest, Lowman was on probation for Felony Larceny of Firearms, Felony Larceny, and Felony Breaking and Entering.