Pomona, CA – Fernando Salazar, 54, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and a $30,000 fine this week for illegally discharging toxic industrial waste into the Los Angeles County sewer system, a brazen violation of the Clean Water Act. The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID), reveals a deliberate and ongoing effort to circumvent environmental regulations at Salazar’s metal plating and anodizing business, Technical Anodize.
The investigation began in early 2012 after the County Sanitation District of Los Angeles (CSDLA) flagged suspicious activity originating from Technical Anodize, located at 1144 Price Street in Pomona. CSDLA officials discovered highly acidic discharges entering the sewer system without the required pretreatment permits. Salazar and his employees initially claimed that no industrial wastewater was discharged from the facility, stating that all liquid waste was evaporated on-site. However, this claim quickly unraveled under scrutiny.
Deliberate Dumping Scheme
Undercover sampling and analysis between February 2011 and January 2012 confirmed the presence of dangerously corrosive and toxic industrial waste containing heavy metals – including zinc, nickel, chromium, and copper – routinely flowing from Technical Anodize. A search warrant executed on January 31, 2012, exposed the shocking method of disposal: employees admitted, under questioning, that Salazar had personally directed them to pump the waste down the facility’s toilets on a daily basis. This illicit practice allowed the pollutants to enter the sewer system and ultimately reach the CSDLA’s sewage treatment plant.
Co-Defendant Also Pleads Guilty
Juan Carlos Hernandez-Oceguera, a former employee of Technical Anodize, was also implicated in the scheme. Hernandez-Oceguera pleaded guilty to similar charges and received a sentence of one month incarceration followed by seven months of home confinement. Unlike Salazar, Hernandez-Oceguera was not subjected to a financial penalty.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
Salazar was convicted of violating 33 U.S.C. 1317(d), which prohibits the operation of a facility in violation of established standards, and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), covering knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. In addition to the 24-month prison sentence and $30,000 fine, Salazar will also serve a 12-month probationary period following his release. The EPA-CID emphasized that this case sends a strong message that environmental crimes will be vigorously prosecuted.
Investigation & Cooperation
The successful investigation was a collaborative effort between the EPA-CID, the CSDLA, and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Health and Hazardous Materials Division. The CSDLA’s initial detection of the illegal discharges was instrumental in launching the investigation and gathering crucial evidence. The EPA-CID’s dedicated team of investigators then built a solid case, leading to Salazar’s conviction and sentencing.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Fernando Salazar
- Business: Technical Anodize (metal plating and anodizing shop)
- Location: Pomona, California
- Crime: Illegal discharge of toxic industrial waste into the sewer system
- Laws Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d), 33 U.S.C. 1311(a)
- Penalty: 24 months incarceration, 12 months probation, $30,000 fine
- Co-Defendant: Juan Carlos Hernandez-Oceguera (1 month jail, 7 months home confinement)
- Waste Contaminants: Zinc, nickel, chromium, and copper
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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