HENDERSONVILLE, TN – A Tennessee man has completed his sentence for the illegal dumping of hazardous waste, a case brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and resulting in both prison time and hefty fines. David Beau Warren was convicted in May 2006, following a jury trial, for knowingly disposing of dangerous materials in a remote ravine on a local farm.
The case, originating in February 2005, revealed that Warren and a co-defendant, identified as Haynes, unlawfully transported and abandoned 22 drums filled with spent solvents and paint-related waste. Investigators determined the drums contained both “listed” and “characteristic” hazardous wastes, specifically ignitable materials posing a significant risk to the environment and public health. The dumping site, a secluded area of farmland, lacked any permitting or safeguards for handling such dangerous substances.
According to court documents, Warren was charged with three counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These violations included knowingly transporting hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility [42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1)], knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without a permit [42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)], and knowingly transporting hazardous waste without a manifest, also encompassing aiding and abetting [42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) and 18 U.S.C. 2]. The lack of a manifest is particularly concerning, as it represents a deliberate attempt to evade tracking and accountability for the waste’s journey and final destination.
Haynes entered a guilty plea to one count of the indictment in July 2005, receiving a sentence of time already served, 24 months of probation (including 6 months of home detention), a $100 special assessment fee, and a $2,000 federal fine. Warren, however, contested the charges, leading to a full jury trial. The jury found him guilty on all three counts in May 2006. His sentencing, delivered in September 2006, included five months of incarceration, 24 months of probation (with 5 months of home detention), a $300 special assessment fee, and a $1,000 federal fine.
The EPA’s criminal enforcement program focuses on deterring environmental crimes through prosecution and significant penalties. This case underscores the agency’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for actions that jeopardize public health and the environment. While cleanup costs associated with the site haven’t been publicly disclosed, hazardous waste remediation can be extremely expensive, often falling to taxpayers when perpetrators fail to address the contamination they create.
Key Facts
- Defendant: David Beau Warren
- Location: Tennessee
- Year: 2006
- Crime: Illegal dumping of hazardous waste (spent solvents & paint waste)
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5), 18 U.S.C. 2
- Penalty (Warren): 5 months incarceration, 24 months probation (5 months home detention), $300 special assessment, $1,000 federal fine
- Penalty (Haynes): Time served, 24 months probation (6 months home detention), $100 special assessment, $2,000 federal fine
- Evidence: 22 drums of hazardous waste were illegally dumped in a ravine.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and provide updates as they develop.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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