CABOOL, MO – Brian Dale Fleming, owner of BF Byproducts, LLC (BFB), a grease recycling operation in Cabool, Missouri, has been sentenced for illegally dumping waste grease into a tributary of the Big Piney River. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) and the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, highlights a pattern of environmental disregard and a deliberate attempt to circumvent federal regulations.
BFB collected used grease from restaurants across Missouri and Arkansas, paying businesses for the waste which was then resold. The operation processed the grease at its facility on Russell Drive, separating usable product from waste. However, instead of properly disposing of the unusable grease, Fleming allegedly instructed employees to pump it downhill, directly into an unnamed tributary feeding the Big Piney River. This practice, confirmed by EPA-CID agents during a 2015 search warrant execution prompted by resident complaints, constituted a clear violation of environmental law.
The illegal dumping wasn’t accidental. Agents visually confirmed the pumping operation and established that Fleming lacked the necessary permits to discharge pollutants into the waterway. The waste grease, defined as a pollutant under 33 U.S.C. § 1362(6), posed a significant threat to the Big Piney River’s ecosystem and potentially impacted local water quality. Residents reported finding grease in nearby ditches and tributaries, prompting the initial investigation.
The EPA-CID’s investigation revealed a systemic disregard for environmental regulations. BFB’s process generated waste, and Fleming knowingly chose an unlawful and environmentally damaging method of disposal to avoid the costs associated with proper waste management. The operation continued for an undetermined period before the search warrant was executed, suggesting a prolonged effort to conceal the illegal activity.
On December 20, 2018, Fleming was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $15,000 criminal fine, and ordered to pay $3,818 in restitution. He admitted in court to pumping grease into the tributary without the required permit. The sentencing serves as a reminder that environmental crimes carry serious consequences, and that those who prioritize profit over environmental protection will be held accountable.
This case underscores the importance of vigilant environmental monitoring and community reporting. The complaints of local residents were instrumental in initiating the investigation and ultimately bringing Fleming to justice. The EPA-CID continues to investigate environmental violations across the country, prioritizing the protection of vital natural resources.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Brian Dale Fleming, owner of BF Byproducts, LLC.
- Location: Cabool, Missouri
- Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutant (waste grease) into a tributary of the Big Piney River.
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2) – Clean Water Act
- Penalty: 12 months probation, $15,000 criminal fine, $3,818 restitution.
- Investigation: Joint effort by EPA-CID and Texas County Sheriff’s Department.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
