Lawrence, Kansas – Raymond Sawyer, owner of MagnaGro International, Inc., has faced both financial and custodial penalties following a decade-long scheme to illegally discharge industrial waste into the city’s sewer system. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a blatant disregard for environmental regulations and a pattern of deception.
For ten years, Sawyer and MagnaGro International covertly pumped waste from their fertilizer manufacturing operation directly into the Lawrence sewer system using a hose connected to a waste pit. This unlawful discharge bypassed mandated treatment processes, potentially endangering public health and the environment. The operation was not an accidental oversight; investigators determined the practice was deliberate and sustained over a significant period.
The initial charges were filed on May 14, 2008, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, Sawyer and MagnaGro were accused of both negligent violation [33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)] and *knowingly* violating the CWA [33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)]. Additionally, Sawyer was charged with making false statements [18 U.S.C. 1001], suggesting an attempt to conceal the illegal activity from authorities.
Financial Penalties & Probation
On June 29, 2009, Sawyer and MagnaGro International both pleaded guilty to the charges. Sawyer was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $120,000 fine. MagnaGro International was also slapped with a $120,000 fine, demonstrating the EPA’s commitment to holding corporations accountable for environmental crimes. However, this initial sentencing proved insufficient to ensure compliance.
Probation Violation & Incarceration
The EPA continued to monitor Sawyer’s activities even during his probationary period. On February 11, 2011, authorities determined that Sawyer had violated the terms of his probation. This led to a more severe penalty: a nine-month term of incarceration, underscoring the seriousness with which the courts now viewed his repeated offenses. The specifics of the probation violation remain sealed, but sources close to the investigation suggest continued non-compliance with environmental reporting requirements.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Raymond Sawyer, owner of MagnaGro International, Inc.
- Location: Lawrence, Kansas
- Crime: Illegal discharge of industrial waste into the city sewer system.
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)
- Initial Penalties (2009): $120,000 fine for Sawyer, $120,000 fine for MagnaGro International, 5 years probation for Sawyer.
- Subsequent Penalty (2011): 9 months incarceration for probation violation.
This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant consequences, extending beyond mere financial penalties to include imprisonment. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental enforcement cases, bringing transparency to these often-hidden offenses.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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