Frank Zuspan, Illegally Dumping Raw Sewage, West Virginia 2012
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A shocking case of environmental degradation has come to a close in Mason County, West Virginia. Frank Zuspan, 61, of Mason County, W.Va., has been sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison for dumping a pollutant into waters of the United States without a permit.
Zuspan previously pleaded guilty in September 2012 to this egregious crime. The 61-year-old admitted to dumping 2,400 gallons of raw sewage onto a property in Mason County, which subsequently flowed into a lake and stream watershed that connected to the Ohio River. This reckless act was committed in December 2010, but Zuspan continued to discharge untreated sewage onto the property on multiple occasions between November 2010 and February 2011.
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin condemned the defendant's actions, stating, 'You can’t pour raw sewage into your neighbors’ water supply. It’s dangerous and it’s illegal, for obvious reasons. People should know better.'
The Environmental Protection Agency conducted the investigation, which led to Zuspan's guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Perry McDaniel handled the prosecution, while United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.
According to the EPA, the dumping of raw sewage poses significant risks to the environment and public health. It is crucial that individuals and businesses take responsibility for their actions and adhere to environmental regulations.
Zuspan's sentence serves as a stark reminder that those who engage in such reckless behavior will be held accountable. The case highlights the importance of environmental protection and the need for vigilance in enforcing regulations that safeguard our waterways and ecosystems.
In this case, the defendant's actions resulted in a year and a half in federal prison. This outcome demonstrates the determination of law enforcement agencies to protect the environment and bring perpetrators to justice.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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