FLORIDA – Martin Electronics, Incorporated (MEI), a Department of Defense contractor specializing in the manufacture of pyrotechnic devices, was sentenced in January 1994 following a guilty plea to federal hazardous waste violations. The case, stemming from a 1991 investigation, revealed the company was illegally disposing of hazardous waste at its Florida facility, jeopardizing both the environment and public health.
Federal and state law enforcement, including the Florida Department of Natural Resources, conducted a consent search of the MEI facility on December 10, 1991. The search was prompted by information suggesting the operation of an unauthorized burn site on the property. Investigators focused on the burn pad area, collecting six soil samples and one water sample from a nearby pond for analysis. Laboratory results confirmed that three of the soil samples contained hazardous waste, specifically identified as reactive waste (D003), a designation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
MEI, which produces items such as pyrotechnic fuses, stun grenades, and hand-held distress signals, generates various hazardous waste streams as a byproduct of its manufacturing processes. Instead of properly managing and disposing of this waste through permitted channels, the company allegedly resorted to illegal burning, a practice strictly prohibited under federal environmental regulations. The illicit burn site posed a significant risk of soil and water contamination, potentially impacting nearby ecosystems and communities.
On December 20, 1993, MEI was formally charged with one count of violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This statute specifically prohibits the knowing transport, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste without a required permit. The company quickly accepted responsibility, entering a guilty plea the following day, December 21, 1993.
The sentencing, handed down on January 11, 1994, included a probationary period of 36 months, a $200 restitution order, and a substantial fine of $175,000. While the financial penalties represent a measure of accountability, environmental advocates have long argued that such fines often fail to fully address the long-term costs associated with hazardous waste contamination and remediation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations, particularly for companies involved in the handling of dangerous materials.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Martin Electronics, Incorporated
- Location: Florida
- Year: 1994
- Crime: Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA
- Penalties: 36 months probation, $200 restitution, $175,000 fine
- Waste Type: Reactive Waste (D003)
- Investigation Trigger: Information regarding an illegal burn site
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on potential threats to public health and safety.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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