Trucker accused of selling 33,000 pounds of frozen chicken he was supposed to deliver

A South Carolina sheriff’s office followed a tip to catch a truck driver accused of stealing and selling 33,000 pounds of frozen chicken.

Fifty-five year old South Carolina resident Christopher Thomas was arrested on November 25, 2023, on a charge of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent; Value of $10,000 or more, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).

Officials say that Thomas was hired by Pilgrim’s Pride to deliver a load of frozen chicken from the plant in Sumter, South Carolina to two locations in Milton, Georgia.

The load Thomas was transporting weighed 41,000 pounds and was valued at approximately $80,000.

“Investigators believe Thomas sold part of the load of chicken he was transporting in various locations,” SCSO said.

After receiving a tip, SCSO and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office partnered and officers traveled to a location where Thomas had reportedly agreed to meet a chicken buyer. When Thomas arrived at the location, police performed a traffic stop.

Thomas consented to a search of the truck.

Inside the trailer, officers found approximately seven pallets loaded with 215 cases of chicken weighing 8,000 pounds.

SCSO says that they believe Thomas sold the other 33,000 pounds of chicken to various buyers.

Thomas was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and is being held on $50,000 Surety Bond.