West Virginia man admits to stealing $2.5 million in mining equipment

Julia Felton | Thursday, April 29, 2021 7:28 p.m.

Metro Creative

Gavel in courtroom

A West Virginia man pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to five thefts of specialized mine equipment that occurred in Armstrong and Indiana counties.

Eudell Dickerson, 46, of Beckley, W.Va., pleaded guilty to two counts before Chief U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

The court was advised of five break-ins and thefts that occurred in February and May 2017 at mining sites in Indiana and Armstrong counties.

Dickerson admitted that he and others stole more than $2.5 million worth of high-value mining equipment from those sites and sold it to a company that sells new and used mining equipment in Beckley.

FBI agents located some of the stolen equipment at the reseller’s facility and identified trucks operated by Dickerson and another man as those involved in the thefts.

Dickerson also admitted that he and others were involved in thefts at mining sites in Virginia and Kentucky.

Hornak scheduled sentencing for Aug. 25.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI conducted the investigation.