Marion County detectives say a former fiber optic subcontractor did not just leave a mess behind. They say he left a trail.
According to arrest affidavits from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Rolando Gradaille Socorro faces felony charges tied to multiple incidents in which fiber optic cable boxes were allegedly forced open, fiber lines were cut, and typed notes containing vulgar messages aimed at Ivy H. Smith were left behind.
Ivy H. Smith is a Florida-based contractor that installs and maintains fiber optic cable and related infrastructure.
Detectives say the incidents were reported in Marion County on Dec. 28, 2025, and that the investigation later expanded beyond county lines after similar cases with the same alleged method surfaced in other jurisdictions, including Kissimmee and Lake County.
The sheriff’s office alleges the damaged equipment belonged to Lumen or Forged Fiber 37 and said each damaged box carried an estimated loss of about $100,000, with roughly $500,000 in total damage tied to the Marion County cases outlined in the affidavits. Investigators further allege the cut lines caused service outages that disrupted internet and data transmission for residents in the affected areas.
According to MCSO, detectives linked Socorro to the case through surveillance footage, traffic and camera data, cell phone records, and a gray or silver Dodge Ram pickup seen near multiple incident locations. Investigators also alleged Socorro had experience in the fiber industry through RGS Communications LLC and previously worked as a subcontractor for Ivy H. Smith.
The affidavits state Ivy H. Smith had previously cut ties with Socorro and his company, and investigators allege that fact provided motive. MCSO also alleged that the suspect had the knowledge and means to damage the fiber infrastructure in a way that would interrupt service.
Socorro was arrested on felony charges of criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage and damage to a computer system, network, or system valued at more than $5,000. The affidavits indicate he was being held without bond as detectives continued working a case that, according to MCSO, stretched across multiple incidents and jurisdictions.
