Roland Heinze, Pollution Crime, TX 1995

San Antonio, TX – Roland Heinze, owner of now-defunct waste hauling company LDI, was sentenced in June 1995 following a guilty plea to federal charges stemming from the illegal dumping of liquid waste. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, revealed a pattern of surreptitious discharges into the city’s sewer system, bypassing proper disposal methods and violating the Clean Water Act.

LDI specialized in collecting grease and other liquid waste from restaurants and commercial establishments throughout the San Antonio area. Utilizing vacuum trucks, the company amassed significant quantities of waste drawn from grease traps. Instead of responsibly disposing of the material at designated landfills, Heinze directed employees to illegally dump the waste directly into the municipal sewer system. This practice, carried out over an unspecified period, avoided landfill costs but posed a significant threat to the city’s wastewater treatment facilities and potentially the environment.

The investigation, initiated in 1994, culminated in a fifteen-count indictment on September 21st, alleging conspiracy and violations of the Clean Water Act. A superseding information filed the following November reduced the charges to eleven, streamlining the case for prosecution. Heinze ultimately agreed to plead guilty to two counts: one charge of conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act and one count of illegal pollutant discharge. The plea bargain signaled a willingness to cooperate with authorities, though the full extent of the illegal activity remains largely unconfirmed.

At sentencing on June 16, 1995, LDI was slapped with a hefty $470,000 fine. Heinze himself received twelve months of home confinement, a two-year probation period, and a personal fine of $30,000. However, a portion of the total financial penalty – $150,000 – was conditionally suspended, contingent upon the prompt payment of the remaining $350,000 within two years and a commitment to avoid future environmental violations. This arrangement highlights the legal system’s attempt to balance punishment with incentivizing compliance.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for environmental crimes within the waste management industry. The EPA has consistently prioritized enforcement of the Clean Water Act to protect waterways and public health. Illegal dumping not only damages ecosystems but also places undue strain on already burdened wastewater treatment plants, potentially leading to overflows and the release of untreated sewage. This case, though decades old, continues to resonate as a cautionary tale for businesses tempted to cut corners at the expense of environmental responsibility.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Roland Heinze, owner of LDI waste hauling
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Crime: Illegal discharge of liquid waste into the city sewer system
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act violation; 18 U.S.C. 371 – Conspiracy
Penalties: LDI fined $470,000. Heinze sentenced to 12 months home confinement, 24 months probation, and a $30,000 fine. Total fines of $500,000 with a possible $150,000 suspension.
Timeline: Indictment filed September 21, 1994; Guilty Plea March 13, 1995; Sentencing June 16, 1995.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on developments as they unfold.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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