Robert Lewis, Unlawful Storage of Hazardous Waste, Georgia 2014

Macon, GA – Robert Lewis, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to ten months in federal prison on March 20, 2014, for the unlawful storage of hazardous waste, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Lewis operated a waste hauling business, Simple Solutions, Inc., and knowingly endangered public safety through improper disposal practices.

The case stemmed from a February 26, 2009 discovery of improperly stored hazardous materials at a self-storage facility in Macon. Investigators found forty 55-gallon drums and sixteen 275-gallon totes containing waste generated by a local manufacturing plant. Records showed Lewis rented the units beginning in July 2007, and later secured additional storage in August 2007. The investigation further revealed that Lewis was also storing hazardous waste at a location in Rex, Georgia, and at his personal residence in Albany, Georgia.

The hazardous waste included highly flammable solvents and acutely toxic cyanide compounds, posing significant risks to both public health and the environment. Lewis had been contracted to transport the waste to a licensed disposal facility, but instead opted for cheaper, illegal storage. He failed to adhere to proper containment procedures, potentially exposing nearby residents and risking contamination of groundwater supplies.

Lewis initially faced charges on October 11, 2012, for violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), a section of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA governs the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. Specifically, the statute prohibits the storage of hazardous waste without a permit, and failure to comply can result in substantial fines and imprisonment. Lewis ultimately pled guilty to the charges on September 26, 2013.

“The improper and illegal storage of these extremely dangerous materials in areas where members of the public could unsuspectingly be placed in great danger is a matter of particular concern in this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore. Maureen O’Mara, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal program in Georgia, added that the defendant “knowingly stored highly flammable hazardous waste without regard to the dangers it posed.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led the investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Paul C. McCommon III prosecuting the case.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Robert Lewis
Business: Simple Solutions, Inc.
Crime: Unlawful storage of hazardous waste
Location: Macon, Rex, and Albany, Georgia
Hazardous Materials: Flammable solvents and cyanide waste
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Sentence: 10 months imprisonment
Timeline: Waste stored from May 2007 – April 2008; Charges filed 10/11/12; Guilty Plea 09/26/13; Sentencing 03/20/14

This case highlights the EPA’s ongoing commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding individuals accountable for endangering communities through illegal hazardous waste handling. The severity of the sentence underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities treat violations of RCRA and the potential consequences for those who prioritize profit over public safety.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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