John Carlton Schultz, Hazardous Waste Violation, Texas 2014

Freeport, TX – Enterprise Transportation Company and one of its facility managers have been slapped with over $1.2 million in fines following a criminal investigation into hazardous waste violations at their Freeport, Texas, tanker cleaning facility. The case, prosecuted by the Travis County District Attorney’s Office Environmental Protection Unit, highlights a growing crackdown on industrial polluters in the state.

According to court documents, Enterprise Logistic Services LLC, doing business as Enterprise Transportation Company, and facility manager John Carlton Schultz were found to have knowingly failed to utilize a required air pollution control flare system. This system is mandated by permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and is designed to capture and abate hazardous pollutants released during the cleaning of tanker trailers. The investigation revealed the company neglected to properly control air contaminant emissions *before* cleaning the tankers, directly violating state environmental regulations.

The TCEQ permit specifically requires the use of such flare systems to ensure the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Investigators determined Enterprise Transportation Company deliberately bypassed this crucial pollution control measure, potentially exposing both workers and the surrounding community to dangerous air contaminants. The failure to adhere to these regulations is considered a criminal offense, emphasizing the serious nature of the violations.

“These regulations are part of our state efforts to protect human health and the environment,” stated Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg in a press release. The case was a collaborative effort involving the Texas Environmental Task Force, bringing together resources from the TCEQ Environmental Crimes Unit, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Environmental Crimes Unit, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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Penalties and Sentencing

Enterprise Transportation Company pleaded guilty to the state air regulation violations and was sentenced to pay a $1,000,000 fine. John Carlton Schultz also pleaded guilty and received 24 months of community supervision, in addition to being ordered to pay a $200,000 fine. The substantial financial penalties are intended to serve as a deterrent to other companies considering similar violations.

Key Facts

Defendant: Enterprise Transportation Company and John Carlton Schultz
Location: Freeport, Texas
Crime: Criminal hazardous waste violations – failure to utilize required air pollution control flare system.
Statutes Violated: State Air Regulations as enforced by the TCEQ
Company Fine: $1,000,000
Individual Fine (Schultz): $200,000
Individual Sentence (Schultz): 24 months community supervision
Date of Plea: January 13, 2014

The outcome of this case underscores the increasing scrutiny of environmental compliance within the industrial sector and signals a commitment from both state and federal agencies to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who endanger public health and the environment through illegal waste disposal practices. GrimyTimes will continue to follow this story and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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