Keith Bowen, Forgery in the First Degree, Georgia 2018

Laurens County, GA – Keith Bowen, a repeat offender, was sentenced in May 2018 after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the illegal disposal of hazardous waste and falsifying disposal records. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pursued through the Georgia state court system, highlights a pattern of disregard for environmental regulations and public safety.

Bowen’s most recent conviction stemmed from the falsification of a waste manifest documenting the disposal of hundreds of fluorescent light bulbs. Rather than ensuring the bulbs—which contain harmful mercury—were properly recycled or disposed of, Bowen abandoned them at a residential property in Gwinnett County, Georgia. This act not only violated state environmental laws but also posed a potential health risk to residents.

This wasn’t Bowen’s first encounter with the law regarding hazardous waste. In March 2015, he pleaded guilty in Dodge County, Georgia, to two felony counts under the Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Act. The earlier case involved the abandonment of drums containing trichloroethylene (TCE), a known carcinogen, in a public storage unit. For that offense, Bowen received a three-year probationary sentence and was fined $2,500.

The 2018 case, heard in the Superior Court of Laurens County, resulted in Bowen pleading guilty to two counts of forgery in the first degree. The falsified manifest was the central evidence in securing the conviction. The court sentenced Bowen to five years of probation and a $1,000 fine. Legal experts suggest the repeated offenses could have warranted a more severe penalty, however, the specific details of the plea bargain remain undisclosed.

The EPA routinely pursues criminal enforcement actions against individuals and companies who knowingly violate environmental regulations. Improper disposal of hazardous waste like fluorescent bulbs and TCE can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to long-term health and environmental consequences. The agency emphasizes that accurate record-keeping, like proper waste manifests, is crucial for tracking and managing these dangerous materials.

While Bowen avoided further incarceration, his criminal record now includes multiple felony convictions related to environmental crimes. The case serves as a warning to others involved in the handling and disposal of hazardous waste: falsifying records and illegal dumping will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The EPA continues to work with state and local authorities to identify and address illegal hazardous waste activity.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Keith Bowen
Location: Gwinnett & Laurens County, Georgia
Year of Conviction: 2018 (and 2015 prior offense)
Statutes Violated: Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Act, Forgery in the First Degree
Penalties: 5 years probation, $1,000 fine (2018); 3 years probation, $2,500 fine (2015)
Waste Involved: Fluorescent light bulbs (containing mercury), Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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