 Before individuals who attempted to tamper with an Enbridge energy pipeline near Grand Rapids earlier this week are now facing felony charges for their actions. Itasca County Attorney Mattie Adams says the four are charged with felony level aiding and abetting attempted damage to pipeline property and misdemeanor level aiding and abetting criminal damage to property. Each of the defendants made a first court appearance today and would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for the felony crime if convicted. The four individuals called themselves the Four Necessity Valve Turners. This is video the group posted to Facebook of the incident. According to the criminal complaint in the case, they gained entrance to the pipeline valve site by cutting a lock off a chain on the gate that then locked themselves back into the site with a different lock. One of the individuals told deputies attempts to shut off the valve failed because they brought the wrong tools. When police arrived, the group refused to leave the pipeline valve site, but after authorities cut off the lock, they were arrested peacefully. The next court appearances are set for February 19th. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.