Government sues Randolph County logger who allegedly cut timber from Monongahela National Forest

ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) — A civil lawsuit has been filed against a Randolph County logging company that allegedly cut down $28,000 worth of timber from Monongahela National Forest land.

According to a press release, the suit was filed by the United States Attorney’s Office against John Fox, of Valley Bend, and Fox Logging, LLC. According to the release, Fox submitted paperwork to timber 319 acres of private property bordering the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County.

While the company was logging in that area between 2015 and 2019, the operations are accused of also timbering 10 acres of Mon Forest land. According to the release, the company timbered “more than 45,500 cubic feet of mature hardwood and pine saw timber valued at nearly $28,000.”

Fox was also accused of damaging and taking timber from an adjacent private property, the release said.

The government has asked for more than $80,000 in monetary damages from Fox and Fox Logging, LLC, as well as compensatory and punitive damages. A trial is scheduled for October of 2025 and will take place in Elkins.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.