Elk City, OK — A Texas man is facing a felony charge in Beckham County after authorities allege he left an Elk City business with more than $9,000 worth of copper and aluminum without paying for the materials.
According to court records, 39-year-old Christopher Tony Marks of Lubbock, Texas, has been charged with one count of Grand Larceny, a Class D1 felony. Prosecutors allege Marks took approximately 2,500 pounds of copper and 1,000 pounds of aluminum from Carter Electric in Elk City on Dec. 29, 2025.
Investigators say the incident stemmed from a scrap metal sale arrangement between Marks and an Elk City electrician. The victim told police he had agreed to sell Marks approximately 2,500 pounds of copper at $3.50 per pound, totaling $8,750. Authorities said an additional estimated 1,000 pounds of aluminum was also to be sold for about $450, bringing the total value of the materials to roughly $9,200.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Marks arrived at the victim’s place of business on Dec. 29 with a red Dodge Ram 3500 pickup and orange dump trailer. After obtaining an empty weight ticket from the Farmers Union Cooperative scale, Marks returned to Carter Electric where employees helped load the scrap metal onto his trailer. Investigators allege Marks then loaded both the copper and aluminum together and left the property before the aluminum could be weighed separately and before making payment.
The businessman told officers he contacted Marks after realizing he had left with the materials. According to the affidavit, Marks initially claimed he had stopped to get food and later said he was traveling to El Reno to obtain money from a bank. Investigators said Marks never returned to pay for the materials.
The case was later assigned to Elk City Police Department investigators. Through interviews, social media records, Cash App information, and other digital evidence, investigators linked Marks to the vehicle seen at the business and identified him as the suspect. Multiple witnesses reportedly identified Marks from photographs shown during the investigation.
Court documents state investigators also obtained social media records showing photographs and videos of a red Dodge Ram dually pickup matching the vehicle described by witnesses. Additional evidence included a scale ticket from Dec. 29 showing a red Dodge and red trailer being weighed at the Farmers Union Cooperative in Elk City.
Beckham County prosecutors filed the felony charge on June 4. If convicted, Marks could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, restitution, or a combination of those penalties.
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