RECYCLING SHOP OWNER SENTENCED IN STOLEN COPPER STING
10/16/2026 "Press Release" - Butte County District Attorney's Office
An Oroville recycling shop owner suspected of buying stolen copper wire appeared in Butte County Superior Court today, where he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of fraudulent recordkeeping.
Jacob Allen Klein, 37, of Chico, the owner of DK Recycling in Oroville, was placed on one year of probation and ordered to serve 30 days in the Butte County Jail. In addition, he was fined the mandatory minimum fine for a first-time offender in the amount of $1,000.00.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the charge stemmed from an October 2025 undercover investigation by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) following dozens of reports of significant copper-wire thefts across both urban and rural areas of Butte County. Thieves often stripped copper wire from PG&E and AT&T poles, disrupting services in rural areas, and sold it to unscrupulous recycling centers for cash.
To prevent the sale of stolen copper wire, California law requires junk dealers and recyclers, among other measures, to obtain a valid government-issued photo identification from sellers; take a clear photograph or video of the copper and the seller; and delay cash payments for three business days after the date of sale.
Undercover detectives made three separate sales to Klein at his business of what appeared to be stolen copper wire, as evidenced by burned insulation or large buss pieces. Klein did not require the detectives to show driver’s licenses and accepted a fake name and driver’s license number written on a piece of paper by the detective. No photos were taken of the detectives, and Klein gave them immediate cash for the obviously “stolen” copper.
After the undercover buy operation, detectives executed a search warrant at DK Recycling and arrested Klein. He initially denied ever buying copper. Detectives also found additional stolen PG&E and AT&T property at the business and additional evidence of illegal record-keeping.
Sheriff’s officials said California state regulatory agencies have been notified of Klein’s conviction, and action on his recycling permits is expected.
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