Robert Joseph Marshall, Pollution, Indiana 2000

Gary, Indiana – Robert Joseph Marshall, owner of Master Circuits, was sentenced to federal prison and slapped with a hefty fine after admitting to illegally discharging pollutants into the wastewater system. The case, stemming from a routine inspection, highlights ongoing efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce clean water standards and hold polluters accountable.

On February 23, 2000, Marshall was formally charged with violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The charges arose after an EPA inspector witnessed Marshall actively pouring a distinctly blue liquid down a drain at the Master Circuits facility. Investigators noted the suspicious behavior of Marshall carrying buckets of water, seemingly attempting to dilute the discharge before it entered the public sewer system. The intent, according to court documents, was to conceal the nature and extent of the illegal dumping.

The EPA’s investigation revealed Marshall knowingly violated pretreatment standards designed to protect wastewater treatment facilities from harmful pollutants. These standards dictate what types of materials can be discharged into the sewer system and in what quantities. The blue liquid, the composition of which was not fully disclosed in court records, exceeded allowable limits and posed a potential threat to the functionality of the local wastewater treatment plant.

Facing mounting evidence, Marshall ultimately pleaded guilty on March 19, 2000. His defense did not dispute the facts of the discharge but reportedly argued a lack of intent to cause significant harm. However, the court rejected this claim, emphasizing the deliberate nature of Marshall’s actions in attempting to dilute the pollutant and conceal the discharge from authorities.

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Sentencing and Penalties

Judge Larry J. McKinney handed down a five-month prison sentence, followed by five months of home detention and seven months of supervised release. In addition to the incarceration and supervised release, Marshall was ordered to pay a $5,000 federal fine. The sentence serves as a warning to other industrial operators that deliberate violations of environmental regulations will be met with significant consequences.

Key Facts

Defendant: Robert Joseph Marshall
Company: Master Circuits
State: Indiana
Year: 2000
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) – Violating toxic and pretreatment effluent standards; 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Knowingly violating the Clean Water Act.
Penalty: Five months incarceration, five months home detention, seven months supervised release, $5,000 fine.
Incident: Observed pouring blue liquid down drain, attempting to dilute with water from nearby residence.

The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act, conducting regular inspections and investigating reports of illegal pollution. This case underscores the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health and the environment by holding accountable those who prioritize profit over compliance with environmental regulations. GrimyTimes will continue to follow this and other environmental crime cases as they develop.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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