Mark Faulcon Charged With Multiple Felonies In Mine Site Vandalism

A Casper man was charged with participating in a series of crimes that caused more than $1 million in damage to a Natrona County mine.

Update 9pm Friday, January 15th: Investigators with the Natrona County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene at a Bentonite Mine on Gas Hills Road near Poison Spider Road, about 18 miles south of Waltman at around 7:22am on Monday, January 4th.

They saw a bulldozer parked on top of a large metal shipping container and epic amount of destroyed property including: a motor home, several trailers, a semi-truck, a Ford F-250 pickup, a portable restroom, and numerous tool and work equipment.

The semi-truck had the cab portion removed by an excavator and then crushed completely.

When employees arrived on scene ahead of law enforcement, they said the engine from the excavator was still warm, indicating that the destruction was caused not long ago.

On Thursday, January 14th, investigators were contacted by a female minor who said he/she was with Faulcon and another unidentified male when the damage was done.

When interviewed, Faulcon admitted to what he did with the other male, and said the minor had nothing to do with the incident.

Faulcon has also been charged with the theft of an ATV from the Naval Reserve Oil Field near Midwest.

Investigators say in early December 2015, Faulcon along with 20 year old Devin Williams drove to the oil field, and Faulcon used his employee issued gate access code to gain access.

A lock had been cut off from a shed on the field, and the ATV was discovered missing.

The ATV was later found in a shed on the 2900 block of East 4th Street in Casper, and Faulcon lived in a residence on that property

The rims of the of the ATV had been spray painted black in an attempt to conceal the true color, but investigators knew it was the one they were looking for based on the vehicle identification number.

When interviewed, Faulcon said he and Williams had entered the shed at the Oil Field to take some tools for personal use, but when they didn't find what they were look for, they took the ATV instead, even though it didn't work.

The investigation continues and more arrests and/or charges could be coming.

Original Story: Twenty-year old Mark Faulcon heard the nine felony counts read to him during his initial appearance before Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Steven Brown.

One felony occurred on Dec. 9 when he allegedly burglarized a shed.

The other eight felonies occurred on Jan. 4 at the site near Poison Spider and Gas Hills roads.

Those charges include property defacing and damage, and burglarizing buildings and vehicles.

If convicted, he faces up to ten years and $10,000 punishment for each count.

Because of the nature of the alleged crimes and numerous failures to appear and comply with court orders, the assistant district attorney asked for a $250,000 bond.

Faulcon objected, asking the judge to not impose a bond at all, or keep it at $1,000 or $10,000 because he said his family is here and he won't be running away.

Other people were involved in the vandalism and he has told the sheriff's office everything he knows, he said. "I couldn't have done this all by myself."

Brown set his bond at $50,000.

Faulcon will appear for a preliminary hearing within a few weeks to determine whether his case should be bound over to district court for trial.

Tom Morton and Kevin Koile contributed to this story