(Columbia, SC) A Newberry County timber cutter is facing charges for illegal timber cutting. Forestry Commission agents arrested Berlie Dawkins, 63, for cutting timber without the owner’s permission.
Agents said Dawkins contracted to harvest timber for a Newberry County landowner, but instead cut the trees on an adjacent property. When the error was discovered, agents said Dawkins first agreed to make restitution then repeatedly failed to follow through.
Dawkins was charged with illegally harvesting more than $1000 worth of timber, a felony under South Carolina law. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
Forestry agents say timber theft and timber fraud cost South Carolina landowners millions of dollars each year. Victims should report timber transaction crimes to Forestry Commission law enforcement, 803-896-8820.
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Subject Identification
Berlie Dawkins, DOB October 24, 1942
117 Tiger River Road, Whitmire, SC
Legal Reference
SC Code of Laws 16-11-580, Cutting timber without permission
This release reports an arrest and charge. All subjects should be considered innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.