SC Deputies Arrest Man in Cases that Killed 300K Chickens

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina authorities have arrested a man they say is responsible for killing more than 300,000 chickens being raised by the company that earlier terminated his contract. Multiple media reports say the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44-year-old James Laverne Lowery late Tuesday. Deputies say he faces multiple charges of burglary and property damage. He was being held in the county jail Wednesday. It’s not clear whether he had an attorney. Authorities have sought who is responsible for killing more than 300,000 chickens by altering the temperature inside 16 chicken growing buildings. Sheriff Randy Garrett said all of the farmers targeted were raising birds for Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. Sheriff’s Maj. Kipp Coker says Lowery raised chickens in Sumter County under a contract with Pilgrim’s Pride before the agreement was terminated.