A
Mercer County
man could be sentenced to up to five years in prison Monday in U.S. District
Court for falsifying mandatory mine safety reports while working at several West Virginia
In
July, Craig Belcher, 36, of Bluefield, plead guilty to providing a false
statement, representation and certification in a Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) document by acting as an underground mine foreman when he
was not properly certified to be one.
Federal
prosecutors said Belcher worked as a foreman at four mines between January 2009
and 2010.
Those
mines were Spartan Mining Company’s Road Fork No. 51 mine located in Wyoming
County, Frasure Creek’s Mine No. 15 located in Fayette County, Pay Car’s Mine
No. 58 in McDowell County and Double Bonus’ Mine No. 65 in Wyoming County.
During
that time, Belcher would sign reports indicating mine sections had been
properly inspected.
In addition to prison
time, Belcher could also be forced to pay a $250,000 fine.
