Felony charges filed against 2 women arrested during Minnesota pipeline protest

Felony charges have been filed against two Washington state women who were arrested during an oil pipeline protest near Clearbrook, Minnesota Tuesday.

Fifty-year old Emily Johnston and 64-year old Annette Klapstein each face two felony counts of criminal damage to property of critical public service facilities and aiding criminal damage to property.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Johnston and Klapstein were arrested near the Endbrige Pipeline Distribution Center after breaking into a valve control station and turning off the valve. Endbridge officials say turning off that valve on the high pressure pipeline could have caused a major incident.

The pair also faces misdemeanor charges of trespassing on a critical public service facility and aiding trespass.