NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A local man was charged after he attempted to disable a CSX railroad switch in a manner that could have caused a derailment or damaged railroad equipment, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Charles Wilson, 66, of Niagara Falls, faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo .

Wilson allegedly tampered with a switch at the CSX Transportation Niagara Rail Yard on 29th Street on June 22, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly in a statement, announcing the charges.

Amtrak personnel reported that a pad lock on the switch had been replaced with an orange Maintenance of Way pad lock, which uses a universal key and prevented the switch from being properly operated. The incident delayed an Amtrak passenger

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