Marcus Edward Clyburn, Environmental Crime, TX 2014

Houston, TX – Marcus Edward Clyburn was sentenced to 24 months in a state penal facility after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges related to a complex environmental crime and fraud scheme. The conviction, handed down by the 263rd District Court of Harris County on October 3, 2013, concludes an investigation that began in February of the same year, revealing a pattern of deceit and illegal waste handling across multiple states.

The case originated with a complaint regarding abandoned hazardous materials discovered inside a Houston warehouse. Sergeant Cynthia Guajardo-Echols of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Houston Police Department’s Environmental Investigations Unit (HPD-EIU) initiated the probe, quickly uncovering a network of rented warehouses throughout the Houston area filled with both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The scale of the operation prompted the involvement of the state’s environmental task force, a collaborative effort involving TPWD, HPD-EIU, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Criminal Investigations Unit, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division.

Investigators determined that Clyburn had defrauded numerous clients nationwide, utilizing over 30 different business names and aliases to conceal his activities. The investigation conservatively estimates Clyburn’s fraudulent gains at just under $1 million in property and services. He operated an elaborate scheme, accepting payment for services – likely waste disposal – and then abandoning the materials, leaving clients with both financial loss and environmental liabilities.

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Legal Ramifications

Clyburn was found guilty of several offenses under Texas state law, including water pollution, illegal storage of hazardous waste (citations 885, 890, 257, and 886), forgery, aggravated theft (between $100,000 and $200,000), and two counts of felony theft by check. The sentencing adds to Clyburn’s existing legal troubles, as he was already on probation for prior convictions of felony theft by check at the time of his arrest. The 24-month sentence will be served in a state penal facility following transfer from Harris County authorities.

Environmental Impact

While the full extent of the environmental damage caused by Clyburn’s actions remains under assessment, authorities confirmed the abandoned waste posed a significant threat to both public health and the surrounding ecosystem. The illegal storage of hazardous materials risks soil and water contamination, potentially impacting local wildlife and human populations. Cleanup and remediation efforts are expected to be substantial.

Future Investigations

Law enforcement officials have indicated the investigation may continue to identify additional victims of Clyburn’s fraud and to determine the full scope of the environmental damage. The collaborative nature of the task force highlights the increasing emphasis on interagency cooperation in tackling complex environmental crimes.

Key Facts

Defendant: Marcus Edward Clyburn
Location: Houston, Texas
Year of Conviction: 2014
Charges: Water pollution, illegal storage of hazardous waste, forgery, aggravated theft ($100,000 – $200,000), two counts of felony theft by check.
Sentence: 24 months incarceration
Fraud Amount: Approximately $1 million in property and services
Aliases/Businesses: Over 30 business names and aliases used to conceal activities.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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