Mark Faulcon Sentenced For ‘Epic’ Property Destruction

A Natrona County man who admitted to vandalizing a bentonite mine will be spending some time behind bars.

Mark Faulcon was sentenced to four-to-six years in prison and was given a boot camp recommendation, after he pleaded guilty to one count of property destruction, one count of conspiracy to commit property destruction, and one count of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Investigators with the Natrona County Sheriff's Office say in early January 2016, deputies responded to a call about damage at a bentonite mine about 18 miles south of Waltman, near Gas Hills and Poison Spider Roads.

There they found, according to an affidavit, “epic damage.”

Deputies 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 pickup, a portable restroom, and numerous tools and work equipment.

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

Damage was estimated to be between $300,000 and $400,000.

Investigators learned of the suspects, Faulcon and Adam Melikian, from the parents of a girl who had been with the two men during the incident, but did not participate.

When interviewed, Faulcon admitted that he and Melikian were responsible.

If Faulcon successfully completes boot camp, he could be called back to court for a sentence review.

He has also been ordered to pay part of $266,000 in restitution.

Faulcon has also pleaded guilty in an unrelated case, in which he admitted to stealing an ATV from the Naval Reserve Oil Field near Midwest, back in December 2015, and is scheduled to be sentenced in that case next week.

Meanwhile, Melikian has pleaded not guilty to charges connected to the mine vandalism case, and is awaiting trial.