Roanoke, LA – A New Jersey man and a Louisiana resident were sentenced in September 2015 for the illegal abandonment of hazardous materials at a warehouse in Roanoke, Louisiana. The case, investigated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and federal partners, highlights the dangers of improper hazardous waste disposal and the significant financial burden placed on responding agencies and landowners.
George L. Ryals III, 63, of Newton, New Jersey, and Michael Anaker, 57, of Sulphur, Louisiana, pleaded guilty in the 31st Judicial District Court to violating Louisiana waste disposal laws and the Environmental Quality Act. The offenses stemmed from the discovery of over 500 compressed gas cylinders and several drums of waste oil abandoned inside a warehouse located at 8050 Bryan Road in Jefferson Davis Parish. The warehouse had been leased by Stillwater Consultants LLC, a company headed by Ryals, with Anaker serving as an employee.
The abandonment occurred in 2009 after Crop Production Services (CPS), the property owner, evicted Stillwater Consultants for non-payment of rent. Upon inspection, CPS discovered the hazardous waste, prompting immediate notification of LDEQ. Investigators quickly determined the abandoned materials posed a serious threat to public safety and the environment. The cylinders contained highly toxic substances including chlorine, cyanogen chloride, cyanogen, phosgene, sodium cyanide, and hydrogen cyanide. Many of the cylinders were in a state of disrepair, increasing the risk of potentially lethal leaks.
The LDEQ issued a Declaration of Emergency on August 14, 2009, mandating CPS to undertake the costly and complex task of mitigating and removing the hazardous materials. This included specialized handling, transportation, and disposal procedures. The cleanup effort involved the Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit, as well as agents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, demonstrating the multi-jurisdictional nature of the investigation.
The defendants were initially charged in July 2014. Judge C. Steve Gunnell sentenced Ryals to a $1,000 state fine and $24,000 in restitution to cover the costs incurred by responding agencies. Anaker received a $500 fine and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution. While the financial penalties may seem modest, officials emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for endangering the public and the environment, as well as ensuring that responsible parties bear the financial burden of cleanup efforts.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with improper hazardous waste management. LDEQ regulations clearly define abandonment of waste as illegal disposal, and the penalties for such violations can be substantial. The incident underscores the need for stringent oversight of companies handling dangerous substances and proactive enforcement of environmental regulations to protect communities from potential harm.
Key Facts
- Defendants: George L. Ryals III, Michael Anaker
- Location: Roanoke, Louisiana
- Year: 2015
- Laws Violated: Louisiana State Hazardous Waste regulations and the Environmental Quality Act.
- Hazardous Materials: Over 500 compressed gas cylinders containing chlorine, cyanogen chloride, cyanogen, phosgene, sodium cyanide, and hydrogen cyanide, plus drums of waste oil.
- Penalties: Ryals – $1,000 fine, $24,000 restitution; Anaker – $500 fine, $1,000 restitution.
- Responding Agencies: LDEQ, Louisiana State Police, U.S. EPA, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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