Mark Anthony Dorner, Meth Lab Operation, MO 2001

St. Louis, MO – A sprawling methamphetamine operation uncovered in Missouri in 2000 and 2001 led to significant federal prison sentences for nine individuals involved in the illicit production and dangerous disposal of hazardous waste. The investigation, spearheaded by multiple law enforcement agencies, centered on an 80-acre property deemed the largest methamphetamine lab site ever discovered in the state.

Mark Anthony Dorner, along with William W. Parsley and Clifford Dorner, were initially indicted on August 24, 2000, facing charges related to both illegal drug production and the unlawful disposal of hazardous waste. The site was riddled with corrosive and flammable chemicals, posing a substantial environmental threat and a grave risk to public safety. Methamphetamine production inherently involves highly volatile and toxic substances, creating an explosive and dangerous environment.

The investigation quickly expanded to include additional individuals. Markus Mancel and Carlton Wright pled guilty to violations of the Drug Control and Prevention Act, while Timothy Chitwood, Robert Smith, Amy Parsley, and Daniel Johnson were also charged with drug offenses. The scale of the operation suggested a sophisticated and long-running criminal enterprise, capable of producing large quantities of methamphetamine for distribution.

Sentencing commenced in January 2001, with penalties varying based on the extent of each individual’s involvement. Daniel Johnson received an 80-month prison sentence followed by 60 months of probation, and a $100 fine. Mark Dorner was sentenced to 120 months incarceration, 60 months probation and a $300 special assessment fee. Clifford Dorner received a slightly longer sentence of 125 months, also with 60 months of probation and a $300 fee. The harshest sentence was handed down to William Parsley, who received an aggregate term of 262 months in prison and a $300 fine. Robert Smith received 184 months, and Amy Parsley 24 months, both with 60 months probation and $100 fines. Mancel and Wright received 66 and 80 months respectively, with probation and $100 fines. Chitwood received 12 months incarceration and 36 months probation, with a $100 fine.

The case highlights the intersection of drug crime and environmental hazards. Illegal methamphetamine labs not only contribute to the proliferation of a dangerous drug but also leave behind toxic waste that contaminates land and water sources. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) played a crucial role in the investigation, focusing on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) violations – specifically, the illegal disposal of hazardous waste without a permit, as outlined in 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A). Drug charges stemmed from violations of 21 U.S.C. 841.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Mark Anthony Dorner, among others
• Location: 80-acre property in Missouri
• Crime: Illegal methamphetamine production and hazardous waste disposal
• Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (RCRA), 21 U.S.C. 841 (Drug Control and Prevention Act)
• Sentences: Ranging from 12 months to 262 months incarceration, plus probation and fines
• Significance: Largest meth lab site discovered in Missouri at the time

The cleanup of the 80-acre site likely involved significant costs and specialized expertise to remove the hazardous chemicals and remediate the environmental damage. This case serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of illegal drug manufacturing, extending beyond the immediate dangers of drug abuse to encompass serious environmental and public health concerns.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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