Shreveport, LA – Omega Protein Inc., a Louisiana-based dietary supplement company, has been sentenced to pay $1.2 million and serve three years of probation for illegally discharging pollutants into the Vermilion River, federal authorities announced. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on January 18, 2017, concludes a criminal investigation into the company’s environmental practices.
According to court documents, the unlawful discharges occurred on December 8, 2014, and February 1, 2016, at Omega Protein’s Abbeville, Louisiana plant. Evidence presented at the hearing revealed that a plant manager directed employees to bypass standard wastewater treatment procedures, instead utilizing a hose to directly drain polluted water from a treatment pond into a canal leading to the Vermilion River. This deliberate act circumvented environmental regulations designed to protect the waterway and surrounding ecosystems.
The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana State Police, uncovered a pattern of disregard for environmental compliance. Sources close to the investigation suggest the motive was likely cost-cutting, as proper treatment of the wastewater would have incurred additional expense for the company. The specific pollutants discharged were not immediately disclosed, but are understood to have exceeded permissible levels under the Clean Water Act.
Legal Ramifications
Omega Protein Inc. pleaded guilty to two counts of violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the unauthorized discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. The company was ordered to pay a $1 million fine to the United States Treasury and a $200,000 community service payment to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Service Unit. In addition to the financial penalties, the company will be subject to three years of probation, during which time its environmental practices will be closely monitored.
Industry Concerns
The case highlights ongoing concerns about industrial pollution and the enforcement of environmental regulations in Louisiana, a state with a significant concentration of chemical plants and industrial facilities. Environmental advocacy groups have long criticized the state’s regulatory oversight, alleging a history of lenient enforcement and insufficient penalties for polluters. This sentencing, while significant, may not be enough to deter similar violations in the future, critics say.
Future Outlook
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case, signaling a commitment by the Department of Justice to pursue environmental crimes. The EPA has stated that it will continue to prioritize investigations into companies that knowingly violate environmental laws, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. John D. Held, a company representative, was present at the sentencing hearing but offered no immediate comment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Omega Protein Inc.
- Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants into the Vermilion River
- State: Louisiana
- Year: 2017
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act
- Penalty: $1 million fine, $200,000 community service, 3 years probation
- Investigation: Joint effort by EPA and Louisiana State Police
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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