St. Louis, MO – A hazardous waste dumping scheme along the Mississippi River culminated in a substantial prison sentence for Raymond Feldman, owner of Ray’s Automotive, and a probationary sentence for co-defendant Dunn, according to court records unsealed this week. The case, originating in 1996, highlights the ongoing struggle to protect the nation’s waterways from illegal toxic waste disposal.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Feldman knowingly directed the illegal dumping of 55-gallon drums containing hazardous paint waste generated by his automotive business. The waste, determined to be both ignitable and containing dangerous levels of lead, was unceremoniously deposited on the banks of the Mississippi River near the McKinley Bridge – a location chosen for its relative isolation but ultimately discovered by environmental investigators.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched an investigation following reports of suspicious activity along the riverbank. Evidence quickly pointed to Ray’s Automotive as the source of the pollution. The investigation revealed a deliberate pattern of avoiding proper hazardous waste disposal procedures, opting instead for the cheaper, and illegal, method of direct dumping. Dunn was implicated for failing to report the release of the hazardous substances, a critical component of environmental regulations.
Feldman was initially charged on October 23, 1996, with two counts under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) for knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without a permit, and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) for knowingly transporting hazardous waste without a manifest. He also faced two counts of conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. 371, alleging a coordinated effort to circumvent environmental laws. Dunn was charged with a single count of violating the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9603, for his failure to notify authorities of the hazardous substance release.
The case took a turn in February 1997 when Feldman entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy and one count of violating RCRA. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped the remaining two charges. Dunn also pled guilty to the charge against him. The sentencing, handed down on April 25, 1997, was significant. Feldman received a 37-month prison sentence, followed by 36 months of probation, a $100 special assessment fee, and a hefty $165,000 fine. Dunn received a lighter sentence of 36 months probation and a $100 special assessment fee.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Raymond Feldman and Dunn
- Location: Banks of the Mississippi River, near McKinley Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri
- Crime: Illegal dumping of hazardous waste (paint waste containing lead and ignitable materials)
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5), 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 9603
- Penalties: Feldman – 37 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $165,000 fine, $100 special assessment. Dunn – 36 months probation, $100 special assessment.
- Date of Plea: February 7, 1997
- Date of Sentencing: April 25, 1997
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential environmental and legal consequences of improperly handling and disposing of hazardous waste. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against individuals and businesses who prioritize profit over environmental protection and public safety. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases as they develop.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
