Jack Rogers Coiner II, Violating Clean Air Act, Texas 2010

Amarillo, TX – Jack Rogers Coiner II, owner and president of Asbestos Maintenance Services, Inc. (AMSI), was sentenced to four years of probation on April 27, 2010, for illegally dumping asbestos-containing materials across two Texas locations. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligent disposal practices that exposed the public to the dangerous substance.

According to court documents, Coiner, who has owned AMSI – a licensed asbestos abatement company based in Amarillo – since 1988, improperly disposed of over 222,300 pounds of regulated asbestos-containing material. The investigation stemmed from an anonymous complaint received by the Texas Department of State Health Services in late 2006. This prompted a probe that uncovered widespread violations at sites in Canyon and Borger, Texas.

The most egregious violations occurred on a 30-acre property in Canyon owned by Coiner. There, investigators found more than 180,000 pounds of asbestos waste left exposed to the elements, including material stored in deteriorating drums. The weathered coverings allowed asbestos fibers to become airborne, posing a significant health risk to the surrounding community. Similarly, at a Borger location, approximately 42,300 pounds of asbestos were dumped, with over half left unsecured in an open-top trailer. Tarps and asbestos bags were allowed to disintegrate, leading to the uncontrolled release of the hazardous material.

Coiner was formally charged on December 11, 2009, with one count of violating the Clean Air Act (CAA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4). This section of the CAA prohibits the negligent release of hazardous air pollutants, including asbestos. He subsequently pled guilty to the charge. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program focuses on holding accountable those who knowingly or negligently endanger public health and the environment through illegal pollution.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Penalties and Restitution

In addition to the 48-month probation period, Coiner was ordered to pay $31,150 in restitution. The funds were allocated to Groom State Bank in Amarillo and an individual who bore the cost of asbestos cleanup related to the illegal dumping. He also received a 60-day home confinement sentence and was required to complete 160 hours of community service. The relatively lenient sentence has drawn scrutiny from some environmental advocacy groups who argue for harsher penalties in cases of hazardous material disposal.

Key Facts

Defendant: Jack Rogers Coiner II
Company: Asbestos Maintenance Services, Inc. (AMSI)
Location: Canyon & Borger, Texas
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) – Clean Air Act
Amount of Asbestos Dumped: Over 222,300 pounds
Sentence: 4 years probation, $31,150 restitution, 60 days home confinement, 160 hours community service
Initial Complaint: Received by the Texas Department of State Health Services in 2006.

The case highlights the ongoing risks associated with improper asbestos handling and disposal, and the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal charges against those who violate environmental regulations. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, making proper abatement and disposal procedures critical.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases