AT LEAST 80 CHARGED OVER MUSHROOMS

BETHANY -- At least 80 people face charges of illegally picking psychedelic
mushrooms that grow naturally on property owned by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel.

Wheeling-Pitt is cooperating with the investigation and has posted security
guards on the property near Bethany, the Brooke County Sheriff's Department
said Tuesday.

The psilocybin mushrooms, which can cause users to hallucinate, are
classified as controlled substances.

Sheriff Bernie Kazienko said some of the suspects came from Clarion, Pa.,
and Barnesville, Ohio, to pick the mushrooms.

Possession of psilocybin mushrooms is a misdemeanor with a penalty of 90
days to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Intent to deliver or
sell psilocybin mushrooms is a felony carrying a prison term of one-to
five-years and a maximum $15,000 fine.

Property associated with the alleged mushroom picking, including vehicles,
can be seized, Kazienko said.