OXFORD, MS – A former wastewater operator in North Mississippi has been sentenced following a guilty plea to charges stemming from years of falsifying water quality data, federal authorities announced. Mari Leigh Childs, 38, of Derma, Mississippi, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation for her crimes, which compromised the integrity of wastewater treatment facilities and potentially endangered public health.
The investigation, led by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Health and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, revealed that Childs, while employed as a certified Wastewater Operator, systematically submitted falsified laboratory reports and Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). These fraudulent reports, covering a period from December 2007 to at least early 2009, affected the Rising Sun Subdivision WWTP and Chapman Subdivision WWTP.
According to court documents, the falsified data concerned critical indicators of water quality, including Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Ammonia, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chlorine, and pH levels. By manipulating these figures, Childs misrepresented the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment processes and falsely indicated compliance with the facilities’ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. This deception allowed the facilities to avoid potential penalties and maintain an illusion of regulatory adherence.
Childs was initially charged in December 2011 with one count of making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3)) and one count of violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)). She ultimately pled guilty to both charges. The prosecution, handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Mims, highlighted the severity of the offenses and the potential risk to public safety. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Felicia C. Adams, emphasized the office’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for such illegal conduct.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Mari Leigh Childs
- Location: North Mississippi
- Years Active: 2007-2009 (Data Falsification)
- Charges: False Statements (18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3)), Clean Water Act Violation (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
- Sentence: 6 months home confinement, 5 years probation
- Restitution: $34,900 to East Leflore Water & Sewer, Town of Maben, and Calhoun County
The financial impact of Childs’ actions extended beyond regulatory evasion. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to pay $34,900 in restitution, distributed among three wastewater systems: $23,800 to the East Leflore Water and Sewer District, $9,600 to the Town of Maben, and $1,500 to Calhoun County. This restitution aims to offset the costs incurred by these entities as a result of having to correct the issues stemming from the falsified data.
“Childs chose to ignore laws that ensure water quality and protect the safety of the water we drink in Mississippi,” stated Maureen O’Mara, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s criminal enforcement program. “The government relies on accurate analytical reports to demonstrate that water is safe to drink. Her actions threatened water quality and drinking water safety.” This case serves as a stark warning to others who might contemplate prioritizing personal gain over public health and environmental responsibility. The EPA continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Clean Water Act violations, ensuring that those who endanger our waterways are held accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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