ALBANY, GA – Horizon Environmental Services LLC (HES) has been sentenced to 24 months of probation and a $10,000 fine for illegally handling and abandoning hazardous waste generated at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany (MCLBA) in 2021. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a dangerous disregard for environmental regulations and proper waste disposal procedures.
According to court documents, MCLBA, during routine equipment refurbishment, produces wastewater containing hazardous materials. This waste is typically processed at the base’s industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP) and discharged according to permit regulations. However, in May 2021, a malfunction in the IWTP’s rake-style clarifier necessitated its repair, requiring the removal of both liquid and semi-solid waste. MCLBA contracted with Diversified Service Contracting, Inc., who subsequently subcontracted the physical removal to Horizon Environmental Services.
The crucial error occurred because HES lacked the necessary authorization and permits to handle hazardous waste. Instead of adhering to proper protocols, employees of HES bypassed the IWTP and illegally dumped approximately 30,000 gallons of the liquid layer down a manhole. The remaining sludge was transported to the HES facility without proper documentation – a violation of federal regulations requiring detailed manifests for hazardous waste shipments. For roughly ten days, HES attempted to locate a licensed waste disposal company, but their own lack of permitting prevented any legal transfer of the hazardous material.
Faced with an inability to legally dispose of the waste, the owner of HES directed employees to simply return the sludge boxes to MCLBA and abandon them on base property. This act not only constituted illegal dumping but also potentially exposed personnel and the environment to harmful contaminants. The EPA’s investigation uncovered a clear pattern of negligence and deliberate circumvention of established hazardous waste management procedures.
Legal Violations & Penalties
Horizon Environmental Services was found guilty of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 13 and 18 U.S.C. 7. In addition to the 24-month probationary period and $10,000 fine, HES was ordered to pay $900 in restitution to MCLBA and complete 100 hours of community service. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the offense and the potential environmental harm caused by the company’s actions. The EPA emphasized that proper hazardous waste management is critical to protecting public health and the environment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Horizon Environmental Services LLC
- Location: Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia
- Waste Type: Hazardous sludge generated from equipment refurbishment
- Illegal Actions: Illegal dumping of liquid waste, improper transport and storage of hazardous sludge, abandonment of waste on MCLBA property.
- Laws Violated: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 18 U.S.C. 13, 18 U.S.C. 7
- Penalties: 24 months probation, $10,000 fine, $900 restitution, 100 hours community service
This case serves as a stark reminder to all contractors handling potentially hazardous materials that strict adherence to environmental regulations is non-negotiable. The EPA continues to actively investigate and prosecute those who prioritize profit over environmental safety.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Lewis Sentenced to 10 Months for Toxic Waste Dump, Macon GA,… · Alabama
- Thao Thi Kim Nguyen, Mortgage Fraud, Orange County CA, 2018 · Connecticut
- Dr. John Doe Sentenced to 2+ Years for Bribery, O.C. CA, 2024 · Ohio
- No Defendant Name Found, Healthcare Fraud Scheme, Atlanta GA, 2023 · California
- Dr. Peter Zavell Pleads Guilty to Filing a False Tax Return, Floren… · Florida
