CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Federal prosecutors want a federal judge to schedule a guilty plea hearing for the last executive charged in a massive chemical spill that contaminated West Virginia's biggest drinking water supply.
In U.S. District Court in Charleston on Tuesday, prosecutors asked Judge Thomas Johnston to set the hearing for former Freedom Industries executive Dennis Farrell.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said prosecutors generally file for guilty plea hearings when a defendant has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge or charges.
Farrell faces spill-related federal pollution charges. Michael Carey, Farrell's attorney, did not immediately return a call for comment.
The January 2014 spill spurred a ban on using tap water for 300,000 people for up to 10 days.
The bankrupt company and four ex-officials have pleaded guilty to federal pollution charges.