Ohio woman charged after latching to Mountain Valley Pipeline equipment

Odyssey Fields
·2 min read

GILES COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — An Ohio woman is now facing several charges after locking herself to equipment at the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) construction site for nearly eight hours, in Giles County, on Monday morning.

Virginia State Police (VSP) told WFXR that on Jan. 29 shortly after 7 a.m., troopers were notified that a group of protestors was gathered near Pocahontas Road in the Jefferson National Forest. State police said when authorities arrived, they found 42-year-old Madeline S. Ffitch, of Millfield, Ohio, attached to a drill.

We’re told Ffitch used a “sleeping dragon” device to affix to the drill. As a result, a crew of specially-trained troopers responded to the scene to safely remove here from the device.

Protestors charged after locking themselves to Mountain Valley Pipeline equipment in Montgomery Co.

According to VSP, Ffitch was checked by medics at the scene and was taken to the Giles County Magistrate Office.

She was charged with the following:

  • Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle

  • Trespassing

  • Two counts of Obstruction of Justice

  • Interfering with Property Rights of Another

Ffitch is being held without bond in the New River Valley Regional Jail.

Following these events, Appalachians Against Pipelines released the following statement from Ffitch stating that she is trying to ensure the safety of Appalachian families.

I think being a parent has helped me be more fearless, more bold, get my priorities straight with what’s important. I take my cues from other mothers who make great sacrifices everyday to protect their children and families…And I also have a huge amount of respect that Appalachian families, especially Appalachian women, have been pushing for years to make sure there is clean water and clean air for their children to drink and breathe in a place that is too often seen as a sacrifice zone. I think mothers have common sense, fearlessness, and a no-nonsense sensibility to bring truth to power.”

VSP investigating fire set at Mountain Valley Pipeline site

This protest is one of many that have occurred at the Mountain Valley Pipeline construction sites over the last four years. Work on the pipeline has been blocked by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. However, in July of 2023, the Supreme Court allowed construction to resume.

The natural gas pipeline is being built through Virginia and West Virginia. The system spans approximately 303 miles and will be regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

In response to the recent protest, organizers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project said these dangerous activities must end.

“In keeping with stringent security protocols, unauthorized persons are not permitted to access the right-of-way during construction or to be within the marked limits of disturbance. As we have consistently stated, the safe construction and operation of the MVP project remains our top priority and ensuring public safety is paramount,” said a spokesperson with the MVP.

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