Clayton man charged with timber theft from multiple counties, NC Forest Service says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Clayton man is facing multiple felony charges across several counties related to the alleged theft of tens of thousands of dollars worth of timber, the North Carolina Forest Service says.

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According to NC Forest Service, 55-year-old Joel Blake Lee of Clayton is being charged with four counts of felony larceny of timber, three counts of felony larceny of property, one count of felony conspiracy, three counts of felony exploitation of an older or disabled adult, three counts of felony forgery of deeds or wills, seven counts of felony obtaining property by false pretenses and five counts of misdemeanor wood load tickets.

The charges span five counties, including Wayne, Chatham, Columbus, Onslow and Pender. The NC Forest Service says the alleged crimes involved multiple victims. Court documents show the charges go as far back as 2019.

According to warrants, the value of timber that was stolen across Columbus, Wayne, Onslow and Pender County comes to $63,564.10.

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The NC Forest Service said Lee is also the owner and operator of Frontier Timber, Inc. in Johnston County.

For those who believe they may have been a victim of a scam or theft involving timber, the NC Forest Service says to contact a county ranger. County rangers and contact information can be found here.

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