Michael Keith Kluttz
Edward Jerome Little
CONCORD, N.C. — Two former Duke Energy employees are facing multiple felony charges after investigators alleged they stole nearly $600,000 worth of electricity from a Duke Energy substation to supply an RV park and nearby property in Cabarrus County.
According to arrest warrants, 55-year-old Michael Keith Kluttz and 65-year-old Edward Jerome Little were arrested by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation into unauthorized electrical service at Ver-El RV Park near Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The warrants allege the pair unlawfully obtained electricity from a Duke Energy Carolinas substation at 5525 Morehead Road in Concord. Investigators claim the stolen power was used to provide unauthorized electrical service to the RV park and Little’s home.
Court documents estimate the value of the stolen electricity at approximately $591,000.
Kluttz is charged with:
• Felony Injury to an Energy Facility
• Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretenses of $100,000 or More
• Felony Money Laundering of More Than $100,000
Little faces the same three charges and is additionally charged with:
• Two counts of Possession of a Weapon of Mass Death and Destruction
The warrants allege the defendants damaged Duke Energy infrastructure, used their positions as current or former Duke Energy employees to facilitate the scheme, and concealed proceeds from criminal activity exceeding $100,000.
Investigators say the unauthorized power was used to provide electricity to Ver-El RV Park and associated properties.
Following their arrests, bond reductions were granted in Cabarrus County court. Little’s bond was reduced from $1 million to $600,000, while Kluttz’s bond was lowered from $750,000 to $300,000. Both men were ordered to surrender their passports and later secured their release.
