VALLEJO, CA – A California man was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to pay $800,000 in restitution after a massive cache of improperly stored hazardous waste ignited at his residence, endangering an entire community. Edward Louis Wyman, 64, was convicted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) following a dramatic fire in June 2009 that forced the evacuation of nearby homes and put first responders at considerable risk.
The incident, which occurred at Wyman’s property in Vallejo, stemmed from his decades-long accumulation of potentially explosive materials. Authorities discovered an estimated one million rounds of corroded ammunition, dating back to World War II, haphazardly stored in four sea-cargo containers and numerous five-gallon buckets throughout his yard. The fire quickly escalated as the ammunition began to “cook off,” sending bullets flying into neighboring properties and ultimately destroying a nearby barn. First responders were forced to don bulletproof vests upon arrival due to the ongoing explosions.
Beyond the ammunition, investigators found two refrigerators packed with gunpowder, including powder designed for military howitzers, and significant quantities of hazardous industrial solvents – 1,1,1-trichloroethane and tetrachloroethylene – stored without the necessary permits. Wyman, described as a former shooting enthusiast, had essentially turned his property into an unregulated and exceptionally dangerous storage facility. The sheer volume and unstable condition of the materials created an imminent threat to public safety, a point the jury specifically recognized in its verdict.
Legal Ramifications
Wyman was found guilty of violating 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2), a provision of RCRA dealing with the improper storage of hazardous waste. Critically, the jury also found that his actions met the criteria outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 6928(e), establishing that he knowingly placed nearby residents in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. This finding significantly increased the severity of his sentence.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spearheaded the investigation and subsequent cleanup operation, which lasted 47 days and cost an estimated $800,000. The restitution order issued by the court requires Wyman to reimburse the agency for these expenses. Federal prosecutors argued that the defendant’s reckless disregard for safety and the law warranted a substantial penalty, both as punishment and as a deterrent to others who might consider storing hazardous materials improperly.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Edward Louis Wyman
- Location: Vallejo, California
- Year of Incident: 2009
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2) & 42 U.S.C. § 6928(e) (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
- Hazardous Materials: Approximately 1 million rounds of corroded ammunition, gunpowder (including howitzer powder), and industrial solvents (1,1,1-trichloroethane & tetrachloroethylene)
- Sentence: 60 months incarceration, 3 years supervised release, $800,000 restitution to the EPA
- Community Impact: Forced evacuation of residents, destruction of a neighbor’s barn, risk to first responders.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by improperly stored hazardous waste and the serious consequences that can result from neglecting environmental regulations. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against those who endanger communities through illegal storage and handling of dangerous materials.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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