Ruben Brown, Pesticide Misuse, IL 1998

Chicago, IL – A Chicago man was sentenced to two years in federal prison last December for illegally spraying a highly toxic pesticide throughout homes across the city, endangering residents and causing extensive property damage. Ruben Brown, 61, operated as an unlicensed exterminator, using methyl parathion – a substance primarily intended for agricultural use on cotton crops – as a roach killer.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) arrested Brown on April 24, 1997, following reports of improper pesticide application. Investigators discovered Brown had treated thousands of residences with the restricted-use pesticide, disregarding federal regulations and putting families at risk. Methyl parathion, while breaking down when exposed to the elements, can persist for years within enclosed environments like homes, posing a long-term health hazard.

An EPA inspection of hundreds of homes revealed alarming levels of the pesticide residue. Over one hundred properties required extensive remediation, including the removal and replacement of walls and other contaminated surfaces. Numerous residents were forced to temporarily relocate during the hazardous clean-up process. The scale of the contamination highlighted the recklessness of Brown’s actions and the potential for severe, lasting health effects on those exposed.

Federal prosecutors charged Brown with two counts of misusing a restricted-use pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Specifically, he violated 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2), relating to the unlawful distribution or sale of a pesticide; 7 U.S.C. 136i(b)(1)(B), concerning the use of a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling; and 7 U.S.C. 136i(a)(7), which covers the application of a pesticide by someone other than a certified applicator.

On July 24, 1997, Brown entered a guilty plea to the two misdemeanor counts. While prosecutors sought a substantial fine, the court ultimately opted against it, sentencing Brown to 24 months incarceration on December 9, 1997, along with a $50 special assessment fee. The decision to forgo a fine remains a point of discussion among environmental enforcement observers, given the widespread contamination caused by Brown’s actions.

This case underscores the dangers of unregulated pest control and the importance of adhering to federal pesticide regulations. The EPA continues to emphasize the need for licensed and certified applicators to ensure the safe and responsible use of these potentially harmful substances. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of prioritizing profit over public health and environmental safety.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Ruben Brown
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Crime: Illegal use of restricted-use pesticide (methyl parathion)
Year: 1998 (Sentencing occurred in December 1997, impacting the relevant timeframe)
Statutes Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2), 7 U.S.C. 136i(b)(1)(B), 7 U.S.C. 136i(a)(7)
Penalty: 24 months incarceration, $50 special assessment fee
Impact: Over 100 homes required remediation; residents temporarily relocated.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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