Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Damaging a Coal Mine

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Raleigh County man pleaded guilty to damaging a coal mine.

According to court documents, Ricky Sprouse, 46, of Naoma, admitted damaging a coal mine and stealing specialized equipment from the coal mine.

Sprouse pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the destruction of an energy facility and faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 8, 2022.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Robeson is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-00045.

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