Reserve, Louisiana – Former St. John the Baptist Parish Water Works employees Danielle Roussel and Kevin Branch were convicted in 2015 of falsifying water testing records, a scheme that concealed potential health risks to the public. The pair pleaded guilty in federal district court to deliberately manipulating data related to the presence of Naegleria fowleri, a deadly brain-eating amoeba, in the parish’s water system.
The Louisiana State Police initiated the investigation after discrepancies arose in the daily logs submitted by Branch and Roussel. These logs documented chlorine levels, crucial for disinfecting water and preventing the growth of the dangerous amoeba. However, authorities discovered the pair had not consistently collected samples from designated testing sites – the Lions Water Treatment Plant in Reserve and a location in Mt. Airy – as required by law.
The damning evidence came in the form of GPS data recovered from parish vehicles assigned to both employees. Records showed Branch and Roussel were demonstrably *not* at the testing locations on numerous days when they claimed to have performed the required sampling. This intentional misrepresentation was a direct violation of state environmental regulations designed to ensure public safety.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was a collaborative effort, involving the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, and the St. John the Baptist Parish Government. Investigators meticulously pieced together the discrepancies in the logs with the irrefutable evidence provided by the vehicle GPS tracking systems. The focus of the investigation centered around the falsification of official records and the potential endangerment of the local population.
Sentencing and Penalties
On May 12, 2015, both Roussel and Branch received a suspended one-year prison sentence, along with six months of probation. Branch was additionally ordered to complete 80 hours of community service, while Roussel was assigned 40 hours. Each defendant was also fined $400 for their role in the fraudulent scheme. While the sentences were suspended, the convictions remain on their records, highlighting the seriousness of the offense.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Danielle Roussel and Kevin Branch
- Location: St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
- Year: 2015
- Crime: Falsification of water testing logs and false swearing.
- Statutes Violated: State Environmental Regulations (specific statutes not publicly available)
- Penalties: 6 months probation, $400 fine, community service (80 hours for Branch, 40 for Roussel).
- Evidence: GPS data from parish vehicles proved the defendants were not at designated testing sites.
- Public Risk: The falsified records concealed potential risks related to the presence of *Naegleria fowleri*, a deadly amoeba.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of accurate reporting and adherence to safety protocols in public utilities. The deliberate manipulation of water quality data not only undermined public trust but also potentially put the health and lives of residents at risk.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Hot Springs Man Sentenced for PPP UI Fraud, Hot Springs AR, 2023 · Louisiana
- Marcus Dewane Carr, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, TX, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Matthew Taylor Morones, Bank Fraud Scheme, Beaumont TX, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Vernon Harrison, Stolen Identity Refund Fraud, Montgomery AL, 2023 · Alabama
- Derrick Gadsden and David Gadsden, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Montgomer… · Florida
