ASHLAND, Ky. — A Lawrence County oil well operator has been indicted for a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Joshua Ferguson is charged with a felony count of the charge in an indictment handed down in federal court on Thursday. The indictment alleges he dumped brine water from oil production into the Left Fork of Blaine Creek on Sept. 3.

If convicted he faces a sentence of up to three years in prison and a fine between $5,000 and $50,000 for each day of violation.

A judge has ordered him to appear in Ashland federal court Feb. 12 to answer the charge.