A Kentucky man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud federal mine safety regulators in connection with an underground coal mine fire in Franklin County, Illinois, that was concealed from authorities for days in August 2021.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, of Louisa, Kentucky, admitted on Thursday to playing a key role in a scheme to hide the fire at the MC#1 Mine, where he served as mine manager.
Court records show the incident began on August 12, 2021, when a cutting torch ignited collapsed steel beams, sparking an underground fire. Rather than activating the mine’s approved Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Plan, Parsons and his co-conspirators chose to keep miners underground and continue coal production while attempting makeshift firefighting efforts.
Despite gas detectors alarming with dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, mining operations continued for three shifts. Parsons later ordered an evacuation under the false pretense of a broken coal conveyor belt in an effort to mislead workers and outsiders about the true cause.
The following day, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) was alerted to the fire through an anonymous tip. Inspectors confirmed the fire and ordered an immediate evacuation. However, investigators later discovered that Parsons and others re-entered the mine without permission, tampered with underground conditions, and falsified records to make it appear safe enough to resume production.
Federal prosecutors said the conspirators also failed to use required tracking devices when underground and deliberately misled regulators during the inspection.
Parsons is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18. He faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. Prosecution is being led by Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Burke of the Southern District of Illinois.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft, and FBI officials announced the plea.
