Oklahoma City, OK – In 2002, Danny Dennis Sunday was sentenced to federal prison for his role in an illegal hazardous waste disposal scheme connected to the defunct Cardinal Plating business. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a deliberate effort to circumvent environmental regulations and illegally dump toxic plating solutions and rinse waters, resulting in significant environmental damage and substantial financial penalties.
The scheme unfolded after Sunday sold Cardinal Plating to his son, who subsequently abandoned the business due to financial difficulties. Freeman, the property owner where Cardinal Plating operated, then enlisted Sunday’s help to clear the site for a new tenant. Rather than bear the cost of proper hazardous waste disposal, Freeman and Sunday contracted with Crown to remove the waste – a decision that prioritized profit over environmental responsibility.
Instead of utilizing permitted and regulated disposal facilities, the trio engaged in a blatant disregard for the law. They pumped the hazardous waste into drums and a truck-mounted tank. While a portion was deceptively sent to a Class II saltwater injection well, the majority was illegally discharged onto several miles of unpaved county roads. This reckless act not only contaminated the environment but also posed a public health risk to residents and wildlife in the area.
Sunday was initially indicted on eight counts in June 2000, violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, he was charged with knowingly transporting hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility [42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1)] and unlawfully disposing of waste in an Underground Injection Well [300h-2(b)(2)]. He ultimately pled guilty to three counts. Following the guilty plea, in October 2000, Sunday received a 16-month prison sentence, a 36-month probation period, and was ordered to pay $52,496 in restitution to the EPA’s Region 6 Superfund Cost Recovery program.
Freeman and Crown were also brought to justice for their involvement. Indicted in January 2001, both pled guilty to multiple RCRA violations. Freeman admitted to two counts of unlawful disposal, while Crown confessed to three counts encompassing both unlawful disposal and knowingly transporting hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility. Both Freeman and Crown were sentenced to 13 months incarceration on each count (to run concurrently), 12 months of supervised release, and were collectively responsible for the $52,496 restitution alongside Sunday. The EPA emphasized that the restitution amount would be shared among the three defendants until fully paid.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Danny Dennis Sunday, Freeman, Crown
- Location: Oklahoma
- Year: 2002 (Indictments began in 2000)
- Crime: Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), 300h-2(b)(2) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Penalties: Sunday – 16 months imprisonment, 36 months probation, $52,496 restitution. Freeman & Crown – 13 months imprisonment (concurrent), 12 months supervised release, shared $52,496 restitution.
- Method: Hazardous plating waste illegally dumped on county roads and partially disposed of in an unpermitted injection well.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for violating environmental regulations and the EPA’s commitment to pursuing those who endanger public health and the environment for financial gain. The Superfund Cost Recovery program continues to address the lingering environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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