Cell tower theft uncovers additional crimes

Felony theft at a tower site off Highway 59 led to the arrest of three Livingston residents.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a call Tuesday afternoon reporting a felony theft that had occurred at a Verizon tower site off of U.S. Highway 59 North, just north of Livingston.

A deputy responded and observed where the fence had been cut and a few items used to force entry lying about. He also observed a trail in the woods leading away from the site. The deputy followed the trail, which led him to a residence off Warren Scott Lane. Once there, the deputy observed items used to break into the cell phone tower site, along with an item that was taken from the scene.

The deputy made contact with a subject found on the property and identified him as Jared Lee Schanfish, who was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives were called to the residence and were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence and property.

Detectives found that the address was the residence of Clifford Glenn Scott. Also found staying at the residence were Melissa Michelle Outland and William Choate Jr., along with Choate’s toddler daughter.

The search resulted in four arrests, as detectives located a large amount of methamphetamine in the residence, along with fentanyl.

Schanfish, 37, was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Outland, 43, received two charges of possession of a controlled substance. Choate Jr., 50, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and criminal negligence of abandoning or endangering a child.

All three subjects were transported to the Polk County Jail on their charges. Clifford Scott was not located at the residence at the time the search warrant was executed. He now has active felony warrants for his arrest for two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

At this time, detectives are still investigating the felony theft. CPS was contacted regarding the child, who is now in the care of a responsible party.