Allen H. Smith, Forgery and Criminal Impersonation, Arizona 2007

Phoenix, AZ – Allen H. Smith, an Arizona resident, was sentenced to pay a $750 fine after pleading guilty to forgery and criminal impersonation charges stemming from an investigation into the illegal sale of unregistered pesticides. The case, initially triggered by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inquiry, quickly broadened to reveal a pattern of fraudulent activity beyond environmental regulations.

The EPA investigation began in late 2006 after reports surfaced of Smith selling pesticide products that hadn’t been properly registered with state authorities – a violation of Arizona law designed to protect public health and the environment. However, investigators soon discovered the scheme extended far beyond regulatory non-compliance. Evidence indicated Smith wasn’t simply selling unregistered products; he was actively forging documents and assuming false identities to facilitate his illegal operation.

According to court records, Smith was formally indicted on October 18, 2006, facing three counts of violating Arizona statutes related to forgery and criminal impersonation. The specific charges detailed allegations that Smith had fabricated official documentation and misrepresented his identity to authorities and potentially, to customers purchasing the pesticides. While the EPA initiated the probe, the case was ultimately prosecuted by state authorities due to the nature of the criminal acts uncovered.

The fraudulent activities raised concerns about the quality and safety of the pesticides Smith was distributing. Unregistered pesticides aren’t subject to the rigorous testing and evaluation required by law, potentially posing risks to agricultural workers, consumers, and the environment. The EPA’s involvement highlights the agency’s role in uncovering broader criminal activity when investigating environmental violations.

On May 2, 2007, Smith entered a guilty plea to all three counts. The presiding judge sentenced him to a $750 fine, representing the statutory penalty for the crimes committed under Arizona state law. While the financial penalty is relatively modest, the case serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor environmental violations can expose larger webs of deceit and criminal behavior.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Allen H. Smith
State: Arizona
Year: 2007
Charges: Forgery and Criminal Impersonation (violations of Arizona statutes)
Penalty: $750 state fine
Initiating Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – investigation began with unregistered pesticide sales
Indictment Date: October 18, 2006
Plea Date: May 2, 2007

GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental crime and regulatory enforcement cases across the nation. The full details of the Arizona statutes violated were not publicly available at the time of this report, but officials confirmed the charges were based on state laws governing document forgery and the assumption of false identities.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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