Longmont, CO – In 2006, Daniel Lee Lopez was sentenced to 24 months incarceration for his role in the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in a residential area of Longmont, Colorado. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA CID) Region 8, revealed a deliberate effort to dispose of 80 fifty-five-gallon drums of unidentified waste in a dirt pit on private property during November 2003.
The investigation began after authorities were alerted to the suspicious activity. Evidence indicated Lopez not only participated in the dumping himself but also directed others to assist in the operation. The illicit disposal posed a significant environmental and public health risk to the surrounding community, prompting a swift response from both state and federal agencies. The site’s location within a residential area amplified concerns about potential exposure to harmful substances.
The charges against Lopez, and three co-defendants, were formally filed in November 2004, citing violations of Colorado Revised Statutes including 29-22-108 CRS (related to hazardous waste management), 25-15-310 CRS (illegal disposal of waste), and 18-4-501 CRS (criminal mischief). The state took a firm stance, seeking prosecution and restitution for the environmental damage and remediation costs.
Sentencing and Restitution
While Lopez received a two-year prison sentence and a $4,405 fine, his co-defendants faced varying degrees of punishment. Ordway pled guilty to criminal mischief and received 12 months probation, 8 hours of public service, and $2,200 in restitution. Collins also pled guilty, receiving a deferred sentence of 24 months probation and a $2,200 restitution order, later reduced to 2 months unsupervised probation. However, Glass faced the most severe penalty besides Lopez, receiving a 36-month incarceration, 250 hours of community service, and a $4,900 restitution order.
Environmental Impact and Legal Ramifications
The case highlights the seriousness with which authorities treat illegal hazardous waste dumping. The deliberate nature of the disposal, coupled with the location in a populated area, elevated the crime beyond a simple oversight. The financial burden of cleanup and potential long-term health consequences for residents underscored the need for strict enforcement of environmental regulations. The EPA continues to prioritize investigations into such offenses to deter future illegal dumping and protect public health.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Daniel Lee Lopez
- Location: Longmont, Colorado
- Year of Sentencing: 2006 (Disposal occurred in 2003)
- Waste Amount: 80 x 55-gallon drums
- Statutes Violated: 29-22-108 CRS, 25-15-310 CRS, 18-4-501 CRS
- Lopez Sentence: 24 months incarceration, $4,405 fine
- Restitution Total (All Defendants): $11,300
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on the consequences for those who endanger our communities.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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