CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK)—A man from Raleigh County has pleaded guilty to damaging a coal mine.

The US Attorney’s Office says 46-year-old Ricky Sprouse, of Naoma, admitted to damaging a coal mine and stealing specialized equipment.

He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the destruction of an energy facility. This crime comes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Sprouse will be sentenced on June 8, 2022.

The West Virginia State Police and the FBI handled this investigation.