Edward Louis Wyman, Violating Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, California 2012

SANTA ROSA, CA – A California man was sentenced to federal prison in 2012 following a jury conviction for illegally storing dangerous and explosive hazardous waste at his Santa Rosa property, triggering a large-scale emergency response and endangering the surrounding community. Edward Louis Wyman, a self-described former shooting enthusiast, received a 60-month sentence and was ordered to pay $800,000 in restitution to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for cleanup costs.

The case originated with a significant fire that erupted at Wyman’s residence in June 2009. The blaze, fueled by improperly stored ammunition and gunpowder, quickly escalated, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes. First responders arriving on the scene faced an extraordinary hazard – the fire was causing “cooked off” ammunition to explode, sending thousands of bullets flying into neighboring yards and even destroying a local barn. Due to the immediate threat, officers were required to wear bulletproof vests while battling the flames.

Investigators discovered the source of the danger was a massive, unregulated stockpile of hazardous materials. Wyman had accumulated an estimated one million rounds of corroded ammunition, dating back to World War II, storing it in four sea-cargo containers and numerous five-gallon buckets scattered throughout his yard. The hazardous hoard didn’t stop at ammunition; two refrigerators were packed with highly volatile gunpowder, including powder used in military howitzers. Additionally, Wyman was storing hazardous industrial solvents – 1,1,1-trichloroethane and tetrachloroethylene – without the required permits or safety protocols.

The ensuing cleanup operation lasted 47 days, requiring specialized teams to safely remove and dispose of the explosive materials. The EPA bore the significant financial burden of the response, leading to the $800,000 restitution order. Prosecutors argued that Wyman’s reckless storage practices demonstrated a blatant disregard for public safety and environmental regulations.

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Legal Ramifications

Wyman was convicted of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2), related to the improper storage of hazardous waste. The jury also found that his actions constituted a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 6928(e), establishing that his conduct knowingly created an imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to nearby residents. In addition to the prison sentence and financial restitution, Wyman received three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Key Facts

Defendant: Edward Louis Wyman
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Year of Conviction: 2012
Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste, violating RCRA
Hazardous Materials: Approximately 1 million rounds of corroded ammunition, hundreds of pounds of gunpowder, and industrial solvents.
Sentence: 60 months imprisonment, $800,000 restitution, 3 years supervised release
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2) & 42 U.S.C. § 6928(e)

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by improper handling and storage of hazardous materials and the serious consequences for those who violate environmental regulations. The EPA continues to prioritize criminal enforcement actions to protect communities from such risks.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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