"Martinsburg couple convicted of fabricating death to leave U.S. Coast Guard"

From: Your4State

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A Martinsburg couple was convicted of misleading the U.S. Coast Guard, according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II. Court documents state that Larry Shelby, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, conspired with his wife, Karen Shelby to fabricate his death in an effort to desert the Coast Guard.

The documents go on to say that Shelby abandoned his car, wrote suicidal notes, concealed his identity and isolated himself in a remote West Virginia cabin in an effort to falsify his death. Ihlenfeld says Karen Shelby told authoritiy her husband was missing and she was unaware for his location and didn't know if he was alive.

Documents show that the Coast Guard spent $100,000 searching for Larry Shelby. The search was supported by Maryland State Police, the National Park Service, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and numerous local police departments. In February of 2014, Shelby returned to her home in Martinsburg. Records show this was kept a secret until June.

Larry Shelby pleaded guilty to one count of "Hoax Causing U.S. Coast Guard to Render Unneccesary Aid" and "Conspiracy to Violate Laws." He faces up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

http://www.your4state.com/story/d/story/martinsburg-couple-convicted-of-fabricating-death/20119/wgPBiS1bSkiACKUlbiRLHw