CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A former maintenance director for a school district in southern West Virginia has been charged in connection with a scheme that allegedly defrauded the local board of education out of approximately $3.4 million.

Michael David Barker, who appeared in court on Wednesday, faces serious allegations including one count of conspiracy along with numerous charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and theft. If found guilty on all charges, Barker could potentially face a cumulative sentence amounting to 300 years in prison due to the multiple counts of mail fraud. He has been released on a personal recognizance bond set at $10,000 and chose not to make any remarks while exiting the federal courthouse in Charleston.

Barker held the position responsible for ordering supplies necessary for the maintenance of school facilities from 2015 to 2023 through the Boone County Board of Education. The federal indictment indicates that he manipulated records to falsely show that the school system had received substantial quantities of items such as hand soap and trash can liners when, in fact, only minimal supplies were delivered.

The indictment outlines that Barker, 47, of Foster, misappropriated funds to purchase a utility vehicle and to make initial payments for heavy machinery such as a track loader and an excavator.

The Boone County school board handled payments to Rush Enterprises, a business based in Kentucky with a location in Kenova, West Virginia. According to the indictment, Jesse Marks, who operates Rush Enterprises, processed the checks and subsequently shared part of the proceeds with Barker.

Marks has been identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. U.S. Attorney Will Thompson remarked on the situation, stating, “While Boone County Schools were contending with significant difficulties, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Barker exploited his authority for personal gain, harming the children of Boone County in the process.”

An email was sent on Wednesday to Rush Enterprises seeking comments related to the case, but the contact number listed on the company’s Facebook page was not operational.