Clayton Man Charged in Multi‑County Timber Theft Investigation

CLAYTON, N.C. — A Johnston County man faces a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges after state forestry investigators uncovered an alleged timber‑theft scheme spanning five North Carolina counties.

On July 8, Joel Blake Lee, 55, of Clayton, was arrested by N.C. Forest Service law‑enforcement officers following a two‑year investigation into crimes linked to his company, Frontier Timber Inc. Authorities say Lee is accused of defrauding landowners and exploiting elderly victims through falsified timber‑sale documents and forged deeds.

Lee was charged with four felony counts of larceny of timber, three counts of felony larceny of property, one count of felony conspiracy, three counts of felony exploitation of an older or disabled adult, five misdemeanor counts of wood‑load tickets, three counts of felony forgery of deeds or wills, and seven counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

The alleged offenses occurred in Chatham, Columbus, Onslow, Pender, and Wayne counties, according to the Forest Service. The agency gained authority to investigate timber‑theft cases under a 2021 legislative mandate and says this case demonstrates its commitment to protecting North Carolina’s forest resources and rural landowners.

Officials encourage anyone who suspects they may be a victim of timber theft to contact their N.C. Forest Service County Ranger for assistance.