Alexandria, Louisiana – Kent Phillips, 61, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been sentenced for illegally discharging oil into Devil’s Creek near Jena, Louisiana. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division, highlights ongoing concerns regarding environmental compliance within the oil production industry.
Phillips, a former corporate officer and owner of Kepco Operating, Inc., an oil production company, pled guilty in June 2012 to a one-count Bill of Information. The charge stemmed from a December 2007 incident where oil was negligently released from the Hailey #2 well site into Devil’s Creek, a violation of federal environmental regulations.
According to court documents, Phillips failed to obtain the necessary permits required for the discharge of oil, a direct breach of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA, enacted to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, prohibits the unauthorized discharge of pollutants, including oil. The prosecution, led by Assistant United States Attorney Earl M. Campbell, argued that Phillips’ negligence demonstrated a disregard for environmental protection.
The investigation revealed that Kepco Operating, Inc. leased and operated numerous oil field sites in the Jena area. While the precise quantity of oil discharged remains undisclosed, the EPA determined the release was significant enough to warrant criminal charges. The incident underscores the potential for environmental damage from even seemingly minor operational failures within the oil industry.
Phillips was initially charged on July 22, 2011. After entering a guilty plea, he was sentenced on October 25, 2012, to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay a federal fine of $2,500. The relatively light sentence has drawn criticism from some environmental advocacy groups, who argue that penalties for environmental crimes often fail to adequately deter future violations.
The case serves as a reminder of the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and holding individuals accountable for actions that harm our nation’s waterways. Phillips was found to have violated 18 U.S.C. 1001, regarding knowingly making false statements, in addition to the negligent discharge under the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically section 1321(b)(3). The CWA designates negligent violations of this section as misdemeanors, carrying potential fines and imprisonment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Kent Phillips, 61, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Company: Kepco Operating, Inc.
- Location: Devil’s Creek, near Jena, Louisiana
- Crime: Negligent discharge of oil into a waterway
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, Clean Water Act (CWA) section 1321(b)(3)
- Sentence: 12 months probation, $2,500 fine
- Plea Date: June 21, 2012
- Charge Date: July 22, 2011
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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