Anderson, SC – Scott William Farmer, 37, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on August 27, 2014, for knowingly endangering public health by releasing hazardous asbestos during the demolition of the Haynsworth Mill in Anderson, South Carolina. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), highlights the severe consequences of disregarding environmental regulations and worker safety.
According to court documents, Farmer and associates illegally demolished portions of the Haynsworth Mill between November 2012 and April 2013, motivated by the sale of scrap metal. Despite repeated warnings from DHEC officials regarding the presence of asbestos within the building’s materials, Farmer continued the demolition without implementing necessary safety precautions. These precautions were vital to protect his workers, individuals purchasing the scrap metal, and the surrounding community from exposure to the dangerous substance.
The situation escalated to the point where DHEC issued an emergency order on March 14, 2013, demanding an immediate cessation of all activity at the site. However, inspectors discovered Farmer and another individual continuing demolition work on the contaminated property just weeks later, in April 2013. This blatant disregard for the emergency order and established safety protocols ultimately led to criminal charges.
Legal Ramifications
Farmer was initially charged on October 17, 2013, with violating 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(5) of the Clean Air Act, specifically pertaining to knowing endangerment through the release of asbestos. He subsequently pled guilty on March 24, 2014. In addition to the 41-month prison sentence, Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed a three-year term of supervised release following Farmer’s incarceration. The penalties reflect the seriousness of asbestos exposure, which can lead to debilitating and potentially fatal health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
EPA and Prosecution Statements
“Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems and in some cases may prove fatal,” stated Maureen O’Mara, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in South Carolina. “The defendant’s actions threatened not only the environment but the safety of his workers and the surrounding community. EPA and its law enforcement counterparts take seriously our obligation to investigate these violations and prosecute to protect the public’s well-being.”
United States Attorney Bill Nettles emphasized the commitment of his office to protecting South Carolina’s citizens and natural resources. “Our office will continue to prioritize the environmental work we do with both federal and state agencies, to ensure that our state is protected and others are deterred from breaking the law,” he said. Authorities urge anyone suspecting environmental violations to report them to the EPA at (800) 241-1754 or through the EPA’s online reporting system at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/report-environmental-violations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Scott William Farmer, 37
- Location: Haynsworth Mill, Anderson, South Carolina
- Crime: Knowing Endangerment via Asbestos Release
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(5) – Clean Air Act
- Sentence: 41 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release
- Investigation: EPA and South Carolina DHEC
- Timeline: Demolition occurred between November 2012 – April 2013; Sentencing August 27, 2014
Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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