Tulare County prosecutors have filed criminal charges on Friday, Dec. 12, against a Porterville man accused of stealing copper wire from a public utility substation.

Ralph Holloway, 36, is charged with felony grand theft, receiving stolen property valued over $950, and misdemeanor possession of an ingestion device, District Attorney Tim Ward announced. The felony counts include aggravating circumstances alleging the crimes involved great monetary value.

Prosecutors allege that between October and December 2025, Holloway accessed the Southern California Edison substation in Porterville and removed copper wire, resulting in an estimated loss exceeding $20,000. Investigators with the Tulare County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation identified Holloway through their investigation.

Holloway was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 10, and transported to Riverside County on outstanding domestic violence warrants. He was returned to Tulare County on Thursday and arraigned in Superior Court later that day, where he pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail.

A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2026, in Superior Court. If convicted of all charges, Holloway faces up to three years in prison.

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The District Attorney’s Office said wire theft is a dangerous crime that disrupts businesses, agriculture and community resources and stated it will pursue full prosecution.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the TCDA Bureau of Investigations at (559) 636-5410.

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