Three Minot men have been charged in connection with an alleged copper wire theft scheme involving around 980 pounds of copper wire from a mine near Underwood.

Byron Junior Backman, Timothy Poitra and Corey Payne made initial appearances in the case on Jan. 14 in South Central District Court.

All three men have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit theft of property, both Class B felonies. Backman has also been charged with driving while license privilege suspended (second) and violation of registration provisions, both Class B felonies. Poitra faces a Class C felony count of possession of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine) second offense.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Falkirk Mining Company had reported four incidents of copper wire theft where spools of wires were damaged, cut and stolen, resulting in losses in excess of $500,000 to fix and replace.

McLean County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report from the Falkirk Mining Company on Jan. 9 regarding a vehicle committing criminal trespass on their property by the copper spool area. The deputy executed a traffic stop on the vehicle, which was towing a trailer. The trailer was found to contain tools and a generator that could be used for cutting and transporting wire. Backman and Poitra were in the vehicle, which matched a vehicle captured in security video of a Jan. 8 incident when 100 feet of copper tubing was stolen.

According to court documents, Backman was given his Miranda Rights and admitted this was his second time participating in the wire theft and the wire was transported and sold to a scrap metal business in Minot. Payne was in custody at the Ward County Jail at the time, but admitted to participating in the scheme with Backman on at least four occasions in November and December 2024, resulting in payouts between $57,000-66,000 in proceeds.

The three men have been scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and a two day jury trial has been set to commence on Thursday, May 29.