BECKLEY, W.Va. - A former security chief convicted of lying to investigators about the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 men at a southern West Virginia coal mine was sentenced to three years in prison yesterday.
Hughie Elbert Stover was convicted of lying to investigators and ordering a subordinate to destroy thousands of security-related documents at the Upper Big Branch mine after the worst US coal mine disaster in 40 years.
US Attorney Booth Goodwin had sought a 25-year sentence, hoping to send a resounding message about Stover’s crimes following the explosion.
Federal sentencing guidelines called for a total sentence of about three years for both crimes. Judges do not have to follow the guidelines.
“Well, that’s better than what I thought,’’ Gary Quarles, whose son died in the blast, said of the punishment. “It’s a little bit of satisfaction. It’s a start.’’
Witnesses testified that Stover instructed mine guards to send out radio alerts whenever inspectors entered the property, which is illegal. Stover denied the accusations in a November 2010 interview with investigators.
The second count alleged Stover sought to destroy documents in January 2011 by ordering a subordinate to throw them into an on-site trash compactor, which is also illegal.
Defense attorney Bill Wilmoth said Stover’s actions were innocent mistakes and he deserved no jail time.