William Roberts, Environmental Violation, Mississippi 2022

Jackson, MS – Partridge Sibley Industrial Services, Inc. (PSI) has been sentenced following an investigation into the illegal disposal of industrial waste, revealing a pattern of negligence that bypassed established environmental safeguards. The case, brought forward by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the dangers of improper waste management and the potential for environmental harm. The incident centered around waste originating from Gold Coast Commodities, Inc., in Brandon, Mississippi, and its unlawful discharge into the Jackson, Mississippi wastewater system.

According to court documents, PSI, under the supervision of employee William Roberts, oversaw the transportation and disposal of industrial waste. Instead of directing the waste to a designated and legally authorized discharge point within the Jackson Wastewater Treatment System, negligence led to the material being hauled to an unauthorized facility. This circumvention of proper procedure directly violates the Clean Water Act, putting both the environment and public health at risk.

The EPA’s criminal enforcement investigation uncovered that PSI failed to ensure the waste was handled and disposed of in accordance with federal and state regulations. The unauthorized discharge introduces potentially harmful pollutants into the system, potentially overwhelming treatment capabilities and impacting the receiving waters. Investigators found a clear link between PSI’s supervisory role and the resulting illegal dumping.

The case culminated in separate sentencing for both the company and its employee. On December 14, 2022, William Roberts was sentenced to one year of probation, ordered to pay a $1,000 criminal fine, and a $25 special assessment. Just over a month later, on January 11, 2023, PSI itself faced the consequences of its actions. The company was sentenced to a one-year term of probation, a significantly larger $200,000 criminal fine, and a $125 special assessment. These penalties are intended to serve as both punishment and a deterrent to other companies considering similar violations.

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Legal Ramifications

PSI and Roberts were found to have violated specific sections of the Clean Water Act: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(B). These statutes address the unlawful discharge of pollutants and the falsification of records related to waste disposal. The EPA continues to emphasize that such violations will be aggressively pursued to protect the nation’s waterways and ensure environmental justice.

Key Facts

Defendant: Partridge Sibley Industrial Services, Inc. (PSI)
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Crime: Illegal disposal of industrial waste, violating the Clean Water Act.
Waste Origin: Gold Coast Commodities, Inc., Brandon, MS
Employee Involved: William Roberts
Penalties (Roberts): 1 year probation, $1,000 fine, $25 assessment
Penalties (PSI): 1 year probation, $200,000 fine, $125 assessment
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(B)

This case serves as a stark reminder that companies have a legal and ethical responsibility to manage industrial waste responsibly. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on those who prioritize profit over the health of our communities and ecosystems.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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