Walkerton, IN – Michael Materna, owner and operator of Materna Mint Farms, was sentenced following a guilty plea to knowingly discharging pollutants into U.S. waterways without a permit. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, highlights a concerning disregard for environmental regulations in pursuit of profit.
According to court documents, Materna Mint Farms, a mint oil producer in Walkerton, repeatedly discharged heated water – reaching temperatures between 160 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit – and substantial amounts of mint oil into a roadside ditch. This ditch ultimately fed into Robbins Ditch, a designated “water of the United States,” throughout the summer of 2010. Each 55-gallon drum of mint oil extracted at the facility held a value exceeding $10,000, suggesting a strong financial incentive to circumvent proper waste disposal procedures.
The illicit discharges bypassed the required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, a cornerstone of the Clean Water Act designed to regulate and monitor water pollution. Investigators found that Materna knowingly operated outside of these regulations, releasing pollutants that could have significantly harmed aquatic life and potentially impacted downstream water quality. The heated water, in particular, posed a thermal pollution risk, disrupting the natural ecosystem.
On June 7, 2011, Materna pled guilty to one count of violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2), which criminalizes the knowing discharge of pollutants without a permit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Schmid. The investigation revealed a pattern of deliberate action, not accidental runoff, further solidifying the prosecution’s case.
Sentencing and Penalties
On October 5, 2011, Judge Jon DeGuilio sentenced Materna to 24 months of probation and a $20,000 federal fine. As part of the sentencing, Materna was also ordered to serve eight months of home detention and mandated to apply for and adhere to an NPDES discharge permit going forward. While the financial penalty and home detention represent some accountability, critics argue that the sentence may not be sufficient to deter similar violations by other industrial operations.
The EPA continues to emphasize the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations, particularly concerning water quality. This case serves as a stark reminder that intentional pollution carries significant legal consequences. The agency vows to vigorously pursue those who prioritize profit over the health of our waterways.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Michael Materna, Materna Mint Farms
- Location: Walkerton, Indiana
- Year: 2012 (Plea in 2011, sentencing finalized in 2011/2012)
- Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants (heated water and mint oil) into Robbins Ditch without an NPDES permit.
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2) – Clean Water Act
- Penalty: 24 months probation, $20,000 fine, 8 months home detention, and requirement to obtain an NPDES permit.
- Value of Product: Each 55-gallon drum of mint oil worth over $10,000.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Joseph Marshall, Pollution, Indiana 2000 · California
- Guide Corporation, Water Pollution, Indiana 2002 · Illinois
- David Ziegler, Water Pollution, MO 2001 · Indiana
- Mitch Buday, Wetland Pollution, MT 2002 · Montana
- McWane, Inc., Water Pollution, AL 2006 · New York
