Man convicted in pipeline shooting

by The Associated Press

An Alaska man accused of blasting a gunshot hole in the trans-Alaska pipeline, causing a leak that gushed 285,000 gallons of crude oil, was convicted of a federal weapons charge.

Daniel Carson Lewis, 37, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was convicted March 1 of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for May 6.

Lewis, who prosecutors said had eight prior felony convictions, was accused of firing a .338-caliber hunting rifle at the trans-Alaska oil pipeline Oct. 4. The cleanup from the leak, about 80 miles north of Fairbanks, has cost more than $7 million. .

Lewis still faces more extensive state charges related to the pipeline shooting. That trial is set for September.

It was the second-largest spill in the 800-mile line in its 25 years of operation, and the first time a bullet pierced it.