Lexington County man charged in heavy equipment theft

Lexington County, SC 02/24/2022 - A Leesville man faces multiple charges in connection with the theft of a piece of construction equipment.

Taylor Shae Mooneyham, 31, is charged with receiving stolen goods, operation of a chop shop, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession with intent to distribute meth, according to arrest warrants.

“This case started when we got a call earlier this month from a member of a crew doing work at a site on the corner of Oscar Price and Calks Ferry roads,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “A tractor valued at $58,000 was reported stolen from the worksite.”

The tractor was tracked to Mooneyham’s home in Leesville, according to Koon.

“Investigators found the stolen tractor hidden behind a shop at Mooneyham’s home Wednesday afternoon,” Koon said. “They also found other stolen property there with identification marks removed, which led to the chop shop charge. A stolen rifle was found inside Mooneyham’s home.”

Almost two grams of meth, glass smoking pipes, scales and small plastic baggies were found in a vehicle at Mooneyham’s home, according to Koon.

Deputies arrested Mooneyham at his home after finding the stolen items and meth. He is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.