Beckley man convicted for breaking and entering at Bluestone Coal Preparation Plant

WYOMING COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Beckley man has been convicted of conspiracy and attempted felony charges.

Joseph C. Hornsby, 46, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on August 9, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of attempting to commit a felony.

Hornsby is scheduled for sentencing in October 2024.

The charges stem from an incident on May 25, 2024, when Sergeant Tyler Sizemore of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department responded to a breaking and entering complaint at the Bluestone Coal K2 Coal Preparation Plant near Burke Mountain in Wyoming County.

The investigation uncovered an attempted theft and significant property destruction at the site.

Hornsby was later found by Sergeant Sizemore who admitted his involvement in the crime.

“Commercial theft goes beyond the loss of property,” said Wyoming County Prosecutor Gregory Bishop. “The loss extends to financial impacts associated with salaries and production.

The case was prosecuted by Derek Laxton, Wyoming County Assistant Prosecutor, with Sergeants Tyler Sizemore and Matthew Lane of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department leading the investigation.