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Montana Man Gets Year in Prison for Oil Plant Explosion

Three workers were seriously injured in the 2012 explosion

By Associated Press

BILLINGS — A Montana trucking company owner has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison after being convicted of criminal charges stemming from an explosion at an oil processing plant.

Three workers were seriously injured in the 2012 explosion, which sparked a fire that lasted for days near the town of Wibaux.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters ordered Donald Wood, Jr. of Baker and his company, Woody’s Trucking, to pay $1.3 million in penalties and restitution. Friday’s sentence is subject to appeal.

Wood and the company were convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, transporting hazardous materials without proper documentation and obstructing an investigation.

Prosecutors say the company was hauling flammable natural gas condensate from North Dakota to Custom Carbon Processing Inc. after telling its insurance company it was hauling water.