The owner of a metal salvage yard in the Medoc area was arrested today, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Major Bruce Temple said Samuel O’Neal Mills, 23, of Enfield, was charged with 36 counts of violations of laws that govern the salvage business.

The investigation by detectives R. Somogyi and R. Rooks reflects offenses occurring from February to June.

They are based on violations dealing with failure to obtain photocopy IDs, failure to obtain fingerprints when required and failure to record required information on various transactions, Temple said in a press release.

Today’s arrest is the second in just over a month involving salvage yards. Last month the manager of United Salvage and Auto was arrested for violations.

Temple said since that arrest, there have been noticeable differences in the compliance by United Salvage in laws governing these businesses.

Temple said Mills is the owner and operator of Medoc Metals. “He’s in the business of taking recyclables and is required to fill out paperwork. He was not doing it correctly. It affected our ability to detect stolen merchandise.”

Said Temple: “When any metals operator fails to document, it inhibits our ability to investigate properly.”

Medoc Metals and United Salvage are the dominant salvage businesses in Halifax County.

Mills was released on $5,000 unsecured bond and has a September 19 court date.