PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton has announced convictions in several cases involving miners who unlawfully maintained residences in federal forests.
Holton said Tuesday most miners play by the rules, but those who do not threaten natural resources and damage forests.
U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman convicted Ed Needles of illegally occupying a residence in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and David Everist, Lennie Ames and Jared Fournier of doing the same thing in the Rogue River National Forest.
All face up to six months in prison when sentenced.
In another case, Michael Backlund pleaded guilty to maintaining a residence in the Umpqua National Forest. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a $700 fine.
