Donn Herron, False Statements, WA 2004

SPOKANE, WA – Donn Herron, a Washington businessman, was sentenced to probation in 2003 after pleading guilty to making false statements to federal environmental regulators, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, revealed a deliberate attempt to conceal hazardous waste illegally stored on his property.

The investigation began to unravel in 2001 when EPA inspectors discovered 39 cylindrical objects—drums containing a solidified, cement-like substance—on Herron’s Spokane property. Herron initially claimed the drums had been present *before* he acquired the land in 1991 and asserted they contained only ordinary garbage. He further stated the drums were not related to any business activity he conducted on the property. However, investigators quickly determined these claims were demonstrably false.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Herron had, in fact, mixed hazardous waste – specifically, “still bottoms” generated by his business – with cement and wastewater in 1995. This process was an attempt to solidify the waste and obscure its true nature, but ultimately failed to hide it from trained EPA inspectors. Herron then knowingly provided false information regarding the age, contents, and origin of the drums during the inspection on May 9, 2001, in an effort to mislead the agency.

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Legal Ramifications

Herron was charged on June 3, 2003, with one count of making false statements, a violation of Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Section 1001 (18 U.S.C. 1001). This federal statute prohibits knowingly and willfully making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any matter within the jurisdiction of the federal government. The law carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine, though in this case, Herron received a significantly lighter sentence.

Sentencing and Aftermath

On October 15, 2003, Herron entered a guilty plea to the single count of false statements. He was subsequently sentenced to 36 months of probation, with no fine imposed. The relatively lenient sentence suggests the court may have considered mitigating factors or the lack of significant environmental damage directly attributable to the concealed waste beyond the initial illegal storage. However, the case serves as a stark reminder that knowingly deceiving federal regulators carries serious legal consequences.

Key Facts

Defendant: Donn Herron
Location: Spokane, Washington
Crime: Making False Statements to Federal Investigators
Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001
Hazardous Waste: “Still bottoms” illegally mixed with cement and wastewater
Sentence: 36 months probation, no fine
Date of Plea: October 15, 2003

GrimyTimes will continue to follow cases involving environmental crimes and the prosecution of individuals and companies who attempt to skirt environmental regulations. Readers with information regarding potential environmental violations are encouraged to contact the EPA or the Department of Justice.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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