Salvadore Apodaca, Pollution, CA 1989

El Monte, CA – Salvadore Apodaca, owner and operator of Apodaca and Sons Plating Co., was sentenced in October 1988 following a guilty plea to federal charges of violating the Clean Water Act. The case, brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposed a pattern of illegal discharge of hazardous wastewater from the electroplating facility into the Los Angeles County sanitary sewer system.

According to court documents, Apodaca and Sons Plating Co. routinely exceeded permissible levels of pollutants in its wastewater, specifically cyanide, zinc, and other dangerous heavy metals. These discharges directly violated established EPA pretreatment standards designed to protect both the sewage treatment plant and the surrounding environment from toxic contamination. The facility’s actions posed a significant risk to public health and the integrity of the local water infrastructure.

The EPA’s investigation revealed the deliberate and ongoing nature of the violations. Apodaca knowingly operated the plating facility in a manner that circumvented environmental regulations, prioritizing cost savings over responsible waste management. The illicit discharges weren’t accidental; they were a systemic component of the company’s operational procedures.

On April 25, 1988, Apodaca entered a guilty plea to a ten-count information, admitting to the willful operation of a point source in violation of federal law. The charges stemmed from repeated failures to comply with mandated pretreatment standards for industrial wastewater. The quick plea suggests a desire to mitigate potential further legal repercussions, although the damage to the environment had already been done.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Penalties & Sentencing

Following the guilty plea, Apodaca was sentenced on October 3, 1988, to a $50,000 fine. In addition to the financial penalty, he was placed on five years of probation (60 months) and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service. While the penalties represent an attempt at accountability, critics argue that they may not fully reflect the severity of the environmental harm caused by Apodaca and Sons Plating Co.

Key Facts

Defendant: Salvadore Apodaca
Company: Apodaca and Sons Plating Co.
Location: El Monte, California
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) and 33 U.S.C. 1346 (Clean Water Act sections 307(d) and 309(c)(1))
Pollutants: Cyanide, Zinc, and other heavy metals
Penalties: $50,000 fine, 60 months probation, 500 hours community service

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent environmental enforcement and the potential consequences of prioritizing profit over public safety. The EPA continues to pursue cases of industrial pollution to safeguard water resources and hold polluters accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases