A jury found the destitute Lewis guilty of criminal mischief, assault, and drunk driving, all felonies, and the misdemeanor counts of oil pollution and misconduct involving a weapon. Now in jail in Fairbanks after receiving a 16-year sentence last June, he is unlikely to ever be able to pay the amount. He has little employment history and had only sparse income when employed.
Assistant Alaska Attorney General Kevin Burke, who prosecuted the case, said State Superior Court Judge Jane Kauvar ruled at a restitution hearing on 6 April that after Lewis leaves jail he should pay something, perhaps $1,000 per year, for the damage he caused. The restitution is to go to Alyeska Pipeline Service Co, the consortium that operates the pipeline.
The shooting forced the pipeline to shut down for two days, as Alyeska worked to plug the hole through which the oil was gushing. It also forced a near-shutdown of North Slope oil production.
Lewis lived in Livengood, a small community north of Fairbanks. He has a history of alcohol-related crimes.
This story courtesy of Energy Pipeline News at http://anvilpub.com/energy_pipeline_news.