Salt Lake City, UT – Anthony Stoddard, the owner of now-defunct Stone Castle Recycling (SCR), was sentenced on January 28, 2019, following a federal investigation into the illegal storage and fraudulent disposal of hazardous electronic waste. The case, which spanned over six years, revealed a deliberate scheme to skirt environmental regulations and ultimately exposed a landfill to dangerous levels of lead contamination.
SCR specialized in processing discarded electronics, specifically cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and televisions. In early 2013, EPA testing confirmed the CRT glass collected by SCR exhibited hazardous characteristics due to its high lead content. Despite this knowledge, Stoddard and his project manager, Jamen Wood, allegedly sought ways to avoid the costly requirements of handling hazardous waste.
According to court documents, Wood negotiated with a landfill willing to accept the CRT glass, but at a higher rate due to its hazardous nature. Instead of paying the increased fee and complying with proper disposal procedures, Wood falsified shipping manifests, falsely declaring the 152,000 pounds of lead-contaminated glass as non-hazardous waste. This deception allowed SCR to avoid fees and mislead the landfill, resulting in the deposit of toxic materials into a facility not equipped to handle them.
Authorities intervened before Wood could ship an additional 76,000 pounds of mislabeled CRT glass. Subsequent site inspections in October 2013 revealed SCR was operating without a required Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit. The company ultimately abandoned the remaining CRT waste after being evicted from its facility in July 2014, leaving the property owner with the burden of cleanup.
Legal Ramifications
Stoddard pleaded guilty to violating 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2), which prohibits storing hazardous waste without a permit. He was sentenced to 12 months and one day of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to his prison term, Stoddard was ordered to pay $226,791 in restitution to cover the cleanup costs incurred by the property owner and perform 100 hours of community service.
Jamen Wood also pleaded guilty to a violation of RCRA, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(3), relating to false statements in hazardous waste documentation. He received a four-year term of probation and was also mandated to complete 100 hours of community service. The government opted to dismiss charges against Stone Castle Recycling itself.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Anthony Stoddard & Jamen Wood
- Company: Stone Castle Recycling (SCR)
- Location: Utah
- Year of Sentencing: 2019
- Crime: Illegal hazardous waste storage and fraudulent disposal of lead-contaminated CRT glass.
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2) & 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(3)
- Penalties: Stoddard – 12+ months incarceration, 3 years supervised release, $226,791 restitution, 100 hours community service. Wood – 4 years probation, 100 hours community service.
- Amount of Hazardous Waste Illegally Shipped: 152,000 pounds of lead-contaminated glass.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with environmental crimes and the importance of adhering to regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of RCRA to ensure responsible management of hazardous waste throughout the United States.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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