YAZOO CITY, MS – Mahant Singh, the operator of the 49 Quick Stop convenience store and gas station, has confessed to a reckless act of environmental and public endangerment. Singh pleaded guilty today to a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act, admitting he deliberately pumped contaminated fuel into the Yazoo City sewage treatment system.
According to court documents, the scheme unfolded in late April 2016, following heavy rainstorms. Water infiltrated one of Singh’s underground gasoline storage tanks due to a poorly maintained cap. This triggered an automatic shut-off, halting gasoline dispensing. Singh had previously dealt with a similar leak in March 2015 by hiring a professional tank service to properly remove and dispose of the contaminated mixture. This time, he chose a far more dangerous path.
Instead of responsible disposal, Singh rigged a hose, extending it to the bottom of the contaminated tank – where water would collect beneath the gasoline – and the other end directly into the city’s sewer line. He then activated a pump, forcing the volatile mixture into the wastewater system while attending to customers. This negligent act introduced a hazardous pollutant, creating a significant fire and explosion risk, and jeopardizing the city’s water supply.
“The unpermitted discharge of gasoline-laden water into a community’s water treatment system is illegal, dangerous, and can also place the health of the community at risk,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood. “These Clean Water Act charges, along with the guilty plea, should send a strong message that these unlawful acts, which place the public at risk, harm the environment, and damage local infrastructure, will not be tolerated.” The incident prompted evacuations of nearby buildings, including a school, after gasoline fumes were detected throughout the city.
Director Chris Sanders of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) Office of Pollution Control emphasized the potential for disaster. “We are fortunate that the illegal disposal of contaminated gasoline did not cause an explosion or injury,” Sanders said. The quick response of Yazoo City and MDEQ officials contained the damage, but the incident underscores the severity of Singh’s actions. Cooperation between the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and MDEQ was crucial in bringing these charges.
Under federal law, Singh faces up to one year in prison, a term of supervised release of not more than five years, and a fine of up to $100,000 for this Class A misdemeanor. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2017. This case serves as a stark reminder that cutting corners with hazardous materials will be met with federal prosecution. The Department of Justice and MDEQ vow continued vigilance in protecting Mississippi’s communities and environment from such reckless endangerment.
Related Federal Cases
- Gulf Coast Seafood Dealer Admits Illegal Fish Scheme · Mississippi
- Destrehan Man Admits to $3M Bank & Laundry Scheme · Mississippi
- Steel Exec Admits Falsifying Lock & Dam Repairs · Mississippi
- Barber School Owner Sentenced to $916K for Stealing from Veterans · Mississippi
- LBS Tax Services Owner, Franchisees Face Tax Fraud Charges · Mississippi
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime