RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Raleigh County man is facing charges after allegedly installing homemade devices to bypass a water meter after his service was disconnected for nonpayment.
According to the West Virginia State Police, Troopers were dispatched on March 12, 2026, to investigate a utility theft complaint involving Beckley Water Company.
Investigators spoke with a Beckley Water Company employee, who reported that a water meter assigned to Donald Carter had been tampered with.
The employee told Troopers that the water meter had been removed on March 5 due to nonpayment. However, on March 11, utility workers discovered a homemade jumper device installed in place of the meter, allowing water to bypass the system.
Officials removed the device, but the following day workers reportedly found another homemade jumper connected to the line, again bypassing the water meter. At that point, the water company contacted law enforcement.
According to the complaint, the estimated damages totaled $1,076.81, including the cost of replacing the damaged water meter.
Troopers later spoke with Carter, who allegedly admitted he was trying to keep water service active until he could afford to pay the money he owed.
The incident occurred in Raleigh County.
