Earlier this month, a 59-year-old was arrested and jailed after he allegedly illegally turned power on that had been disconnected due to non-payment.
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, a deputy responded to a Pine Valley Drive address in reference to a theft of services. When the officer arrived, he spoke with a Satilla REMC employee who said that someone at the location had re-established power to the home after it had been disconnected because of non-payment. The meter box had been damaged and the cost to replace the box was $400, a sheriff’s department incident report states.
The deputy spoke with the person who lived at the residence. She said that she knew she had an outstanding balance with Satilla. She had contacted Willie Courson Jr., the report states, to connect a generator to the house so she would have power.
Courson arrived at the house a little while later, according to the report, and went to the back of the house. Shortly after he arrived, power came back on. The resident said she didn’t know what he did to re-establish power.
According to the report, the officer spoke with Courson who admitted to re-establishing power through the meter box. The report says that Courson stated that he didn’t know that was a crime.
Courson was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and theft of services. He was booked into the Coffee County Jail and released on bond.
