Dwan Allen Trim, Hazardous Waste Fraud, TX 2003

PORT ARTHUR, TX – Dwan Allen Trim was sentenced in September 2003 following a guilty plea to federal charges stemming from an illegal hazardous waste scheme in Port Arthur and Port Neches, Texas. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a deliberate effort to circumvent environmental regulations and unlawfully dispose of dangerous materials.

The investigation centered around Intracostal Environmental Services (IES), contracted to remove waste from a barge acting as an illegal dumping ground for other vessels at the Coastal Marine (CM) site. Instead of properly handling the hazardous material, IES, under the direction of Trim, knowingly transported it as non-hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility owned by CM in Port Neches. This mischaracterization allowed the defendants to avoid the stringent regulations and costs associated with legal hazardous waste disposal.

Trim was initially charged on January 8, 2003, with four counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The specific violations included knowingly transporting hazardous waste (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1)), treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without a permit (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)), knowingly submitting false information on paperwork (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3)), and knowingly transporting hazardous waste without a required manifest (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5)). A co-defendant, identified as Fultz, also pled guilty to related RCRA violations.

The scheme not only endangered the environment but also created an unfair advantage for those willing to disregard the law. Prosecutors argued that Trim’s actions demonstrated a clear disregard for public health and safety, prioritizing profit over responsible environmental stewardship. The illegal disposal site posed a potential threat to local ecosystems and water supplies. The Big Thicket National Preserve, a nearby protected area, was specifically identified as a potential recipient of environmental harm resulting from the illegal activity.

On July 10, 2003, Fultz received a sentence of six months incarceration followed by a 24-month probationary period. Trim’s sentencing occurred on September 19, 2003, and included a six-month prison term, a 36-month probationary period, a $2,000 federal fine, and an order to pay $4,800 in restitution to the Big Thicket National Preserve to help mitigate environmental damage.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Dwan Allen Trim
Crime: Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal & Fraud
Location: Port Arthur & Port Neches, Texas
Year: 2003
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5)
Penalties: 6 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $2,000 fine, $4,800 restitution
Co-Defendant: Fultz (6 months incarceration, 24 months probation)

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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