Frank Lopez, Hazardous Waste Violation, PR 1997

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Frank Lopez was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years of probation for illegally abandoning hazardous waste at a property he rented from the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation (PRIDCO) in 1996. The case, prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the serious consequences for improper handling and disposal of dangerous materials.

According to court documents, PRIDCO alerted the EPA after Lopez abruptly abandoned the leased location, leaving behind a significant quantity of unidentified hazardous waste. An investigation ensued, quickly establishing that Lopez had knowingly violated federal regulations regarding the treatment, storage, and disposal of these materials. The EPA’s criminal enforcement division moved swiftly, filing charges against Lopez within a month of discovering the abandoned waste.

On October 10, 1996, a one-count Information was filed, charging Lopez with a violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Lopez immediately pled guilty to the charge. The RCRA, enacted by Congress to protect human health and the environment, establishes a “cradle-to-grave” system for managing hazardous waste – from its generation to its final disposal. Lopez’s actions bypassed this critical system, creating a potential risk to public health and environmental safety.

The specifics of the hazardous waste left at the site remain largely undisclosed in publicly available records. However, EPA officials confirmed the materials posed a credible threat, necessitating a costly cleanup operation. The abandonment of hazardous waste is not merely an environmental infraction; it’s a deliberate disregard for established safety protocols and a potential danger to the surrounding community.

The sentencing, handed down shortly after the guilty plea, included a $2,195 fine in addition to the incarceration and probation terms. While the six-month prison sentence may seem lenient, EPA officials emphasize that the case serves as a deterrent to others who might consider cutting corners when dealing with hazardous materials. “We take these violations very seriously,” stated an EPA spokesperson at the time. “Proper waste management is non-negotiable.”

The Lopez case underscores the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal charges against individuals who intentionally disregard environmental regulations. It also illustrates the importance of cooperation between federal agencies and private entities, like PRIDCO, in identifying and addressing environmental crimes. The abandoned property has since been remediated, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by improperly handled hazardous waste.

Key Facts

Defendant: Frank Lopez
State: Puerto Rico (PR)
Year: 1997
Crime: Illegal abandonment of hazardous waste
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA violation for knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste.
Penalty: Six months incarceration, 36 months probation, $2,195 fine.
Reporting Party: Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation (PRIDCO)

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on the efforts to protect communities from hazardous waste and pollution.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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