FLINT, MI -- Police say they are investigating about 50 cases of water theft, and they expect that number to keep growing.

Flint police Chief James Tolbert confirmed Wednesday, Sept. 17, that Marcus Mahan – the retired, high-ranking Flint Police Department official who was deputized for a special investigation in Flint – was hired to investigate water theft in the City of Flint.

Officials could not estimate how many people they suspect are or have been stealing water, or for how long, but did say the problem is "massive."

"We know that there are numerous individuals out there that think they can steal from their neighbors, their city, whoever it may be," Mahan said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "That is not the case. We are going to prosecute you, and we're going to prosecute you to the fullest."

Several agencies are involved in the operation, including the city attorney, the Genesee County prosecutor, the Genesee County Sheriff's Department and the city of Flint Police.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said he has dedicated an attorney to help prosecute cases from the investigation.

"The scope is quite wide," Leyton said of the investigation. "There are a lot of individuals receiving water in the city of Flint that are not paying for it. And there are individuals receiving water that have willfully bypassed the meters and are ... stealing water from the city. And, we can't tolerate that as a community, as a county and as law enforcement officials."

If a case is not severe enough to justify prosecution by the Genesee County prosecutor, the city attorney will prosecute, Tolbert said.

"We intend on following up on all leads ... to ensure ... that people who pay for water are not being penalized by people who choose not to pay for water," Tolbert said.

The Flint City Attorney Peter Bade called the investigation massive, and said it should have an impact on Flint residents' water bills.

"It's a massive problem for the City of Flint," Bade said. "It's important for folks to understand that this fund is a self-contained fund, meaning costs are spread among the users, so people who steal water are stealing from their neighbors, neighbors who pay their water bills, and this does impact the cost of water in the city of Flint."

Bade said he currently working with the Flint Police Department to issue warrants on the 50 cases of water theft Mahan is actively investigating.

"And we think there will be many more after that," Bade said.

So far, seven people have warrants or have faced felony charges from Leyton's office:

Warren Southall II, 37, was arraigned Sunday, Sept. 14, on one count of malicious destruction of utility property and is held in jail on $10,000 bond. He is a city of Flint employee who police say they caught illegally turning on a Flint resident's water last week. Officials claim Southall was exploiting residents who had their water shut off by the city by taking bribes to turn it back on.

Anthony Bryant, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent use of a public utility under $500 on Aug. 27.

Samuel Sanders, 49, pleaded guilty to fraudulent use of a public utility over $500 on Aug. 27.

Demetrius Jeffries, 34, faces one count of fraudulent use of a public utility over $500. Jeffries retained a court-appointed attorney, and his preliminary exam was scheduled for Tuesday morning, Sept. 16. He is held in jail on $5,000 bond.

Simeon King, 49, faces one count of resisting and obstructing police officers. Leyton said King refused to let police examine his meter to see if he had tampered with it. King posted a $2,500 bond on Sept. 9, and the case was bound over to Genesee County Circuit Court Sept. 10. King has retained defense attorney Albert Zerka.

Paul Dukes, 57, faces one count of malicious destruction of utility property, and is being held on $1,000 bond.

Edgar Lee Rattler, 61, faces two counts of malicious destruction of utility property.

Pickell said he was most appalled that a city employee such as Southall would exploit individuals within the community already struggling to make ends meet.

"I know that for people who are on fixed incomes, those that are unemployed, those that are on public assistance, it's very, very difficult to make these payments. And, that said, none of us have a right to obtain water unlawfully," Pickell said.

There are solutions available for those who cannot afford to pay their water bills, officials said. Keep the Water Flowing is a program that partners with area nonprofits to assist Flint residents. Payment plans that cover up to 50 percent of costs are available at 810-766-7015. For owner-occupied homes, a poverty exemption credit is available at 810-766-7255. The Department of Human Resources offers reduced deposits and some water bill credits at 1-855-275-6424. And, the Salvation Army also offers water payment assistance. Information is available on that program at 810-232-2196.

"It galls me...as it pertains to Warren Southall who has exploited people who are having a very difficult time by going out there and making these hookups," Pickell said. "And, no one who has any sympathy for someone who is exploiting people who are having a difficult time. I'm confident that there will be more arrests if people continue to exploit the poor. I'm confident that we ... will prosecute these people to the fullest extent of the law allowable."