Shawnee, OK – David Richard “Rickey” Brown was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $28,000 in fines after pleading guilty to multiple federal charges related to the illegal disposal of hazardous waste in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 2012. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and brought to light through a concerned citizen’s report, revealed a deliberate and long-running scheme to circumvent environmental regulations and endanger public health.
The investigation began after a witness reported observing a pickup truck discharging liquid waste into a sewer manhole. Crucially, the witness provided a detailed description of the vehicle and its driver – information that quickly focused investigators on Brown Materials and its owner, David Brown. Within a week of the initial dumping report, operators of the Shawnee water treatment plant discovered a catastrophic failure in their #1 and #2 clarifiers, with all microorganisms killed – a direct consequence, authorities determined, of the illegal discharge.
Surveillance of the Brown Materials facility confirmed the witness’s account. Investigators identified a pickup truck matching the description, equipped with a modified cargo bed featuring a hole designed to facilitate the clandestine discharge of liquid waste from a concealed tank beneath a camper shell. A former employee of Brown Materials later came forward, confessing to their involvement in the illegal dumping operation, detailing how cyanide electroplating solution—a byproduct of the company’s silver recovery process from x-ray and photo negatives—was routinely disposed of improperly. The employee admitted to dumping waste at self-service car washes and even at their own residence.
The scope of the illegal activity was extensive. Evidence gathered by investigators revealed that between 2003 and 2009, Brown Materials generated over 150,000 gallons of hazardous waste. Remarkably, no records of legitimate disposal for this substantial volume of waste could be found, indicating a systematic effort to avoid the costs and regulations associated with responsible waste management. The scheme involved not only illegal dumping but also falsified records in an attempt to conceal the true volume of hazardous materials generated.
Brown and a co-defendant, Story, were initially charged with conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), counterfeiting and forgery (18 U.S.C. 513(a)), and multiple violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) – specifically, 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) for knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without a permit. Story faced additional charges of IRS fraud and false statements (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). Story pled guilty to all seven counts and received a sentence of 12 months and a day in prison, plus 12 months probation and a $10,000 fine. Brown’s sentence of 18 months incarceration, 12 months probation, and $28,284 in fines reflects the severity of his crimes and the blatant disregard for environmental regulations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: David Richard (Rickey) Brown
- Location: Shawnee, Oklahoma
- Year: 2012
- Crime: Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Laws Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 513(a), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 26 U.S.C. 7206(1)
- Penalty: 18 months incarceration, $28,284 fine, 12 months probation
- Waste Volume: Over 150,000 gallons of hazardous waste improperly disposed of between 2003-2009.
- Impact: Destruction of microorganisms in Shawnee water treatment plant.
The EPA continues to emphasize the importance of proper hazardous waste management and the serious consequences faced by those who prioritize profit over environmental protection and public safety. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegal dumping will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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