Anthony James Chrisman, Unlawful Storage of Hazardous Waste, Tennessee 2018

Nashville, TN – Anthony James Chrisman avoided jail time despite admitting to the illegal storage of hazardous waste in Tennessee, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. The case, stemming from activity between November 2013 and October 2014, highlights potential shortcomings in enforcement regarding environmental crimes within the state.

Chrisman pled guilty in December 2018 to a Class A misdemeanor violation of the Tennessee Code Annotated (68-212-105(4)). The charge related to the unlawful storage of approximately 20 drums of hazardous waste at an undisclosed location. Details surrounding the *type* of hazardous waste remain sealed, raising questions about the potential environmental and public health risks posed by Chrisman’s actions.

The Tennessee Code Annotated 68-212-105(4) specifically prohibits the storage of hazardous waste in a manner that could cause contamination of the environment or endanger public health. While the statute carries potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment, Chrisman received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days in jail. He was instead placed on 11 months and 29 days of unsupervised probation.

GrimyTimes’ investigation reveals a concerning trend of lenient sentencing in similar environmental misdemeanor cases within Tennessee. While the EPA often spearheads investigations into larger-scale environmental offenses, smaller incidents, like Chrisman’s, frequently fall under the jurisdiction of state and local authorities. Critics argue that limited resources and differing priorities can lead to reduced penalties for individuals and entities violating environmental regulations.

The lack of publicly available information regarding the specific hazardous materials stored and the remediation efforts undertaken following their discovery further complicates the assessment of the potential harm caused. Environmental advocacy groups are calling for increased transparency in these types of cases, arguing that public access to information is crucial for holding offenders accountable and preventing future violations. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of current monitoring and inspection procedures for hazardous waste storage facilities across the state.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Anthony James Chrisman
Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste
State: Tennessee
Year of Offense: 2013-2014
Year of Plea: 2018
Statute Violated: Tennessee Code Annotated 68-212-105(4)
Penalty: 11 months, 29 days suspended jail sentence; 11 months, 29 days unsupervised probation.
Quantity of Waste: Approximately 20 drums

GrimyTimes will continue to investigate environmental crime cases in Tennessee and report on trends in enforcement and sentencing. We encourage anyone with information regarding illegal hazardous waste activity to contact the EPA or the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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