Rock Island, IL – Lawrence Schmidt, a supervisor at Rock Island Plating Works, was sentenced in September 1993 following a guilty plea to federal environmental crimes. The case, stemming from years of illegal pollution practices at the electroplating facility, highlights the dangers posed to communities near industrial sites and the EPA’s ongoing efforts to enforce environmental regulations. Rock Island Plating Works, a job-shop specializing in metallic surface application, operated in a designated environmental justice area, bordering a local day care center, raising significant concerns about public health.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Rock Island Plating Works routinely discharged highly toxic wastewater into the City of Rock Island’s sewer system. This wastewater, a byproduct of the electroplating process, contained dangerous levels of cyanide, chromium, copper, iron, zinc, and lead – all known pollutants with severe health implications. The wastewater also fluctuated between highly acidic and caustic states, further complicating treatment and increasing the risk of damage to the municipal sewer system. The city’s sewage treatment plant ultimately discharged this contaminated water into the Mississippi River, a vital navigable waterway.
The investigation, conducted by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, revealed that Rock Island Plating Works failed to obtain necessary permits for the storage of hazardous waste, a direct violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Furthermore, the facility consistently violated pretreatment standards set by the Clean Water Act (CWA), designed to ensure that industrial discharge doesn’t overwhelm or damage public wastewater treatment facilities. These violations weren’t isolated incidents; they represented a systemic disregard for environmental regulations and public safety.
On May 3, 1993, both Lawrence Schmidt and Robert Schmidt, the owner/operator of Rock Island Plating Works, were charged with a total of four counts encompassing violations of RCRA (42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)) and the CWA (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a), and 33 U.S.C. 1346). Robert Schmidt ultimately pled guilty to three counts, while Lawrence Schmidt admitted guilt to two. The plea agreements, however, included a waiver of the right to appeal, a tactic frequently employed in federal criminal cases.
Sentencing and Appeals
During sentencing on September 14, 1993, Robert Schmidt received a 30-month prison sentence on two counts, concurrent with a 24-month sentence on the third. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and serve 24 months of supervised release. Lawrence Schmidt received a 24-month sentence on one count, concurrent with a 12-month sentence on the second, along with a $25,000 fine and 24 months of supervised release. The defendants attempted to appeal their sentences, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit swiftly dismissed their appeals, citing the previously agreed-upon waiver within their plea agreements. The court’s decision underscored the binding nature of plea bargains in federal criminal proceedings.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Lawrence Schmidt
- Location: Rock Island, Illinois
- Year: 1993
- Crimes: Violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA)
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a), 33 U.S.C. 1346
- Penalties: Lawrence Schmidt received 24 months incarceration, $25,000 fine, and 24 months supervised release.
- Environmental Justice Concern: The facility operated near a day care center in a designated environmental justice area.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations and the potential consequences for those who prioritize profit over public health and environmental protection. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against polluters, especially those operating in vulnerable communities.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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