Watch CBS News

W.Va. Coast Guard Member Pleads Guilty To Faking Own Death

WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia man has pleaded guilty to faking his death to desert from the U.S. Coast Guard.

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II says 33-year-old Larry C. Shelby of Martinsburg abandoned his vehicle and wrote suicide notes in 2013. Shelby then concealed his identity and isolated himself in a remote cabin.

Ihlenfeld says that Shelby's wife, 33-year-old Karen Shelby, conspired with the non-commissioned officer in the plot. Karen Shelby told authorities that Larry Selby was missing. Karen Selby pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false statement..

Ihlenfeld says the Coast Guard spent more than $100,000 searching for Larry Selby. Larry Selby faces up to six years in prison at sentencing.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.