Ronald Mark Davenport, Violating 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A), Illinois 2007

Decatur, IL – Ronald Mark Davenport, a former partner at Able One Sealcoating, was sentenced in January 2007 following a guilty plea to violating the Clean Water Act. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), centers around the illegal discharge of pollutants into a tributary of the Sangamon River in Decatur, Illinois.

According to court documents, on September 19, 2004, Davenport knowingly discharged wastewater from a 1,000-gallon tank directly into a drain at the Decatur Bulk Watering Station. The tank, used to transport waterproof coatings, had been recently filled with over 250 gallons of water purchased from the station. Instead of properly disposing of the residual waste within the tank, Davenport intentionally opened the tank’s drain, releasing at least 50 gallons of contaminated water. This drain system ultimately feeds into the Sangamon River, approximately 100 yards downstream.

The EPA’s investigation revealed that the discharged water contained wastes stemming from the sealcoating operations, constituting a direct violation of federal environmental regulations. The act not only polluted a vital waterway but also demonstrated a deliberate disregard for the environmental safeguards mandated by the Clean Water Act.

Legal Ramifications

Davenport was initially indicted on December 8, 2005, on one count of violating 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A), pertaining to the illegal discharge of pollutants. He ultimately pled guilty to the charge on September 7, 2006. The sentencing, handed down on January 19, 2007, included a three-month period of incarceration, followed by three months of home detention, and nine months of probation as part of a twelve-month supervised release. This indicates the court deemed the offense serious enough to warrant imprisonment, despite it not involving direct harm to a person.

Industry Concerns

This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding proper waste management within the sealcoating industry. Environmental watchdogs suggest that while many companies adhere to regulations, a lack of oversight and deliberate negligence, as demonstrated by Davenport, continues to pose a threat to water quality across the nation. The EPA continues to pursue enforcement actions against individuals and companies who violate the Clean Water Act, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Ronald Mark Davenport
• Company: Able One Sealcoating
• Location: Decatur, Illinois
• Date of Offense: September 19, 2004
• Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A) – Illegal discharge of pollutants
• Penalty: 3 months incarceration, 3 months home detention, 9 months probation, 12 months supervised release
• Pollutant Source: Wastewater from a 1,000-gallon sealcoating tank
• Affected Waterway: Sangamon River (via Decatur Bulk Watering Station drain)

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this and other environmental crime cases as they develop.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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