ST. MARYS – A trio of Wood and Pleasants counties residents claims a company is taking minerals on their property without their consent.
Steve Locke, Cheryl Huffman, and Debra J. Hearn filed a lawsuit on Nov. 16 in Pleasants Circuit Court against Tapo Energy LLC requesting an injunction from mineral rights on their leased land.
The group claims 175 acres of property in Belmont has been fraudulently accessed by the company without their consent or lease. The trio says the company has operating wells on the property for mineral interest, and go on to claim they have received no royalties from the wells.
The trio is seeking an injunction against the company from continuing the process, as well as costs and attorneys' fees, and any other relief the court sees fit. The group is represented by Bryan K. Carr of St. Marys.
Pleasants Circuit Court Case number 15-C-39