On April 25, 2016 at approximately 10:40 AM Deputy Barker responded to the water tower in Perry to investigate someone tampering with the electrical panel. Upon arrival they met with Robert Johnson, the water superintendent for Perry water dept... Mr. Johnson advised Deputy Barker that there was a pad lock on the gate that wasn’t Perry’s. After entering the gated area they found that someone had cut some of the wiring, other electronics, and removed a radio communicator. Also they found an aluminum ladder leaned against the tower, it appeared that whoever did this set the ladder up so they could get on the ladder attached to the water tower. The ladder was recognized by Deputy Danny Story, who had dealt with McGhee on a previous unrelated call. This lead them to interview Derek McGhee, (19 years old of Perry), who after being Mirandized, McGhee stated that he did break into the gated area of the water tower and removed the items, climbed the ladder to near the top of the tower and attempted to hook up an antenna. Then McGhee stated that he put his own pad lock on the gate.

Also while they were there they solved a theft case, a Caterpillar Scraper valued at close to $100,000.00, that was stolen from West Perry County Line road was located at the tower. McGhee said that he was going to use the Scraper to build a road. McGhee also admitted to starting the huge forest fire on State Hwy 10 West that occurred on Sunday April 24th, stated he did it to get attention.

McGhee is being held in the Perry County Detention Center on a $25,000.00 cash or professional bond. He is charged with theft of property, breaking or entering, arson, and criminal mischief, all these crimes that he is charged with are felonies.