BIG STONE GAP, Va. — A southwestern Virginia coal company and two of its officials will be sentenced next week, after pleading guilty to falsifying coal dust samples.

D and H Mining, of Buchanan and Dickenson counties, owner-operator Daniel Tucker, and section foreman Gerald Ball all pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to defraud the United States.

The company also pleaded guilty to a willful violation of the Mine Safety Act.

Sentencing will take place on Tuesday.