Michael Shane Rasmussen, Grand Theft & Unlawful Disposal of Hazardous Waste, Idaho 2011

Ririe, ID – A Madison County man was sentenced earlier this year following an investigation into a copper theft ring that resulted in hazardous waste contamination. Michael Shane Rasmussen, 43, pled guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from the illegal removal and burning of copper wire, leaving behind a toxic residue at a local campground.

The case began in May 2010 when Rasmussen, along with his son and another individual, were apprehended near Kelly’s Canyon while burning copper wire. Authorities quickly discovered the wire hadn’t been legally obtained. Rasmussen subsequently confessed to stealing the copper from farming equipment throughout Madison County. The motive? To strip the valuable copper from the insulation and sell it for cash, a common, yet illegal, practice known as “wire stripping.”

However, the crime extended beyond simple theft. Analytical testing of the ash remaining from the burned wire revealed alarmingly high levels of lead, classifying the residue and surrounding soil as hazardous waste. This contamination posed a potential environmental and public health risk, triggering a more extensive investigation by state and federal agencies. The burning process released dangerous pollutants into the air and left a lasting impact on the campground grounds.

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Legal Ramifications

Rasmussen was formally charged on September 13, 2010, with three counts of grand theft and one count of intimidating a witness – all felonies under Idaho law. Specifically, he violated Idaho Code 18-1403(1) relating to grand theft, Idaho Code 18-2604(3) concerning intimidation of a witness, and Idaho Code 18-2407(1)(b)(1) related to the unlawful disposal of hazardous waste. The charges reflect both the property crime aspect of the copper theft and the environmental damage caused by the improper burning.

On January 3, 2011, Rasmussen received a suspended sentence of five months incarceration, instead being placed on six years of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $1,425.50 state fine, and a significant restitution order totaling $16,621 was levied to cover the cost of the stolen copper and the subsequent environmental remediation efforts. The joint and several liability means that Rasmussen is fully responsible for the entire restitution amount.

Key Facts

Defendant: Michael Shane Rasmussen
Location: Kelly’s Canyon Campground, Ririe, Idaho
Crime: Copper Theft, Illegal Burning, Hazardous Waste Contamination
Date of Incident: May 2010
Statutes Violated: Idaho Code 18-1403(1), 18-2604(3), 18-2407(1)(b)(1)
Sentence: 5 months suspended, 60 months probation, $1,425.50 fine, $16,621 restitution
Hazard: Lead contamination of soil and ash from burned copper wire

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal metal scavenging and the serious consequences of improper hazardous waste disposal. Authorities continue to urge citizens to report any suspicious activity and to dispose of materials responsibly to protect both property and the environment.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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