Charges filed in Hoke electrocution

A Moore County man was charged Tuesday with obstruction of justice in connection with the electrocution of another man at a Hoke County power substation in August, authorities said Wednesday.

William Joshua Reavis, of Aberdeen, was killed on Aug. 14 while trying to steal copper wiring from a Lumbee River Electric Member Corporation substation near Raeford.

Hoke County deputies say Jonathan Tyler Overton, a friend of Reavis, was taking part in the wiring theft and removed wire cutters and some wire from the scene before deputies arrived. Overton also gave a false statement to investigators, authorities said.

Overton, 20, of 9307 Calloway Road in Aberdeen, also has been charged with misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen property and injuring wires or fixtures of a utility. He was released on a $25,000 bond.