NEW YORK — South Carolina recycler Highway 34 Recycling has had its license to purchase nonferrous materials suspended after a six-month investigation, according to Sgt. John Long of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. The company allegedly violated state law by not requesting permits or identification from sellers.

South Carolina requires anyone wishing to sell nonferrous scrap to present an identification card and state-issued seller’s permit before entering into any transactions. Secondary recyclers must copy and maintain records of those documents for at least two years.

According to Long, the yard’s owners—Carl Jackson Jennings and Linda Lee Richey—knowingly purchased scrap copper without obtaining proper documentation.

"We have had a lot of changes in the law as related to nonferrous metals," Long said. "We feel the obligation to notify our recyclers that these laws have changed and warn them about potential violations. Unfortunately, Jennings and Richey chose to blatantly oppose these laws."

Subsequently, the sheriff’s office obtained arrest warrants for Jennings and Richey and suspended their license for buying nonferrous metals.

Jennings and Richey now face multiple charges of illegally purchasing copper. Both were arrested and released on bond, Long said.

"We’re not asking our recyclers to be the police," he said. "We know that individuals are coming to them trying to sell stolen copper. All we want is for them to maintain proper documentation so we can prosecute the thieves."

As of Jan. 31, Greenwood-based Highway 34 Recycling’s telephone was disconnected. Jennings and Richey couldn’t be reached for comment.