Jeremiah Young, Clean Water Act Violation, California 2021

Stockton, CA – Jeremiah Young was sentenced on June 14, 2021, following a multi-year investigation into illegal wastewater discharge at the American Biodiesel plant, operating as Community Fuels, in Stockton, California. Young, a former assistant operator at the facility, admitted to participating in a scheme to circumvent environmental regulations and unlawfully dump pollutants into the local sewer system.

Between 2014 and 2016, Young and his brother, Christopher Young, who directed plant operations, knowingly misled authorities about the disposal of wastewater generated during biodiesel production. While permitted to discharge treated wastewater to the Port of Stockton’s publicly owned treatment works (POTW) within specific parameters, Community Fuels instead engaged in a deceptive practice. Employees illegally dispersed untreated wastewater onto the facility grounds using landscaping sprinklers and directly into the POTW, all while manipulating monitoring devices to conceal the violations.

Investigators determined the scheme involved the illegal discharge of hundreds of thousands of gallons of wastewater, exceeding permitted levels of pH and methanol. This deliberate tampering with monitoring equipment and false reporting constituted a blatant disregard for environmental protection and public health. The fraudulent activity continued for over two years before regulators uncovered the deception.

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Legal Ramifications & Previous Sentencing

Jeremiah Young pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1317(d), 1319(c)(2)(A)). He received a sentence of time served, followed by three years of supervised release. His brother, Christopher Young, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, Clean Water Act discharge and tampering violations (18 U.S.C. § 371; 33 U.S.C. §§ 1319(c)(2)(A),(c)(4)).

Community Fuels itself faced criminal charges and, in July 2019, was sentenced to pay a $400,000 fine and serve a three-year probation period. As part of the sentencing, the company was mandated to implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan and grant authorities unrestricted access to the premises for unannounced inspections. Additionally, the court ordered Community Fuels to pay $256,206 in restitution, split between the City of Stockton and the Port of Stockton, to cover damages and costs associated with the illegal discharges.

Key Facts

Defendant: Jeremiah Young
Location: Stockton, California
Years of Violation: 2014-2016
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. §§ 1317(d), 1319(c)(2)(A)
Scheme: Illegal discharge of wastewater onto grounds and into POTW, tampering with monitoring equipment.
Restitution: $256,206 to City of Stockton and Port of Stockton
Company Fine: $400,000
Company Probation: 3 years, including environmental compliance plan and unrestricted inspections.

The case highlights the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals and companies that prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. The deliberate manipulation of wastewater discharge systems and falsification of data represent a serious breach of public trust and a threat to the integrity of local water resources.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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