Rexburg, ID – Max Spatig, 73, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison last October for the illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste, a crime that has plagued communities across Idaho for over a decade. Spatig, owner of MS Enterprises, knowingly accumulated and abandoned thousands of containers of dangerous materials on a property near Rexburg, posing a significant threat to public health and the environment. The case, a joint investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, highlights the serious consequences of neglecting environmental regulations.
On July 8, 2010, authorities discovered 3,478 containers on Spatig’s Archer-Lyman Highway property. Many were visibly corroded and clearly labeled as containing hazardous substances. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of ignitable and corrosive materials – substances capable of easily catching fire and dissolving other materials on contact. These improperly stored chemicals posed an immediate fire hazard and threatened potential contamination of soil and water sources. The cleanup and disposal of the waste, handled by a specialized hazardous waste facility, cost the federal government $498,652.
Federal prosecutors successfully argued that Spatig operated the hazardous waste site without any required permits from the EPA or the Idaho DEQ, a direct violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, Spatig was found guilty of violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which governs the storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The conviction followed a two-week jury trial in June, after Spatig was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2012. Adding to his legal woes, Spatig had been held in custody since September 11, 2014, due to multiple violations of court orders and offenses committed while on pre-trial release.
Repeat Offender
This wasn’t Spatig’s first encounter with environmental law enforcement. In 2005, the State of Idaho was forced to clean up hazardous waste from another property owned by Spatig in Menan, Jefferson County, incurring costs of $188,000. Prior to that, Spatig engaged in similar illegal activities in Kaysville, Utah. The pattern of behavior demonstrates a deliberate disregard for environmental safety and a history of flouting regulations, according to investigators.
Official Statements
“Mr. Spatig’s conduct of illegally storing hazardous materials has been a longstanding problem and source of environmental danger for various communities with our state,” stated a representative from the US Attorney’s Office. “This prosecution and sentencing should send a message that we will not tolerate the contamination of our communities through the illegal storage of hazardous waste.” Scot Adair, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Idaho, added, “The defendant stockpiled thousands of gallons of flammable and highly corrosive materials – exposed to the elements – putting the unsuspecting public at serious risk. Today’s sentencing shows that those who repeatedly refuse to comply with our environmental laws will be prosecuted.”
Penalties and Restitution
In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Wiley Y. Daniel ordered Spatig to pay $498,652 in restitution to cover the costs of the hazardous waste cleanup. He will also serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. The case serves as a stark reminder that improper handling of hazardous waste carries severe legal and financial consequences.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Max Spatig
- Crime: Illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste
- Location: Rexburg, Idaho
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
- Sentence: 46 months imprisonment, $498,652 restitution, 3 years supervised release
- Waste Discovered: 3,478 containers of ignitable and corrosive materials
- Cleanup Cost: $498,652 (federal funds)
- Prior Offenses: Similar violations in Menan, ID (2005) and Kaysville, UT
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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