Ricky Aits, Pollution, VA 2001

Manassas, VA – Ricky Aits, former Field Superintendent for AITS Septic Service, Inc., was sentenced in August 2001 following a guilty plea to charges of illegally discharging raw sewage and pollutants into Virginia waterways and the Prince William County sewer system. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stemmed from an incident first noticed in May 2000, when students and staff at Osborne Park High School in Manassas reported a strong sewage odor near the school’s soccer field.

Witnesses observed an AITS septic truck apparently releasing its contents directly into a storm sewer located within the school’s parking lot. Crucially, school surveillance footage corroborated these accounts, providing visual evidence of the unlawful discharge. The sewage flowed through the storm drain, ultimately contaminating a nearby creek – a tributary of the vital Potomac River. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was forced to undertake a cleanup operation to mitigate the environmental damage.

The investigation quickly expanded beyond the initial incident at Osborne Park High. Authorities discovered Aits had engaged in similar illegal dumping practices at two additional locations: a sanitary sewer manhole behind the Potomac Mills Mall IKEA store, and another behind the Shoppers Food Warehouse at the Maplewood Shopping Center, both in Manassas. These repeated violations pointed to a deliberate and systemic disregard for environmental regulations.

On May 14, 2001, Aits pleaded guilty to a two-count criminal Information in the Eastern District of Virginia. Count One charged him with violating the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into the Potomac River tributary. Count Two related to the unlawful discharge of pollutants into the Prince William County sanitary sewer system. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program pursued the case aggressively, demonstrating its commitment to protecting the nation’s waterways.

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Legal Ramifications

Aits was convicted under 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the knowing discharge of pollutants without a permit. The consequences were significant: Aits received a 10-month prison sentence, followed by a 36-month probationary period. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. The case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry substantial penalties.

Key Facts

Defendant: Ricky Aits
Location: Manassas, Virginia
Crime: Illegal discharge of raw sewage and pollutants
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act
Evidence: Witness testimony, school surveillance footage
Sentencing: 10 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $1,000 fine

This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by illegal pollution and the importance of vigilant oversight and robust enforcement of environmental laws. The EPA continues to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies who prioritize profit over environmental protection, ensuring accountability for those who endanger public health and the integrity of our natural resources.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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