John W. Shelton, Conspiring to Violate Clean Water Act, West Virgin…

John W. Shelton, 47, of Daniels, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his role in a water quality scheme that put the environment and public health at risk.

In October 2014, Shelton pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act. He admitted that he, and other employees of Appalachian Labs, tampered with water samples to make them appear within permissible levels. This was done by diluting samples with distilled water or substituting them with water from a location known as the “honeyhole,” which consistently produced samples within permissible limits.

By tampering with the water samples, Shelton and his co-conspirators allowed excessive pollutants to be discharged from mining operations into adjacent creeks and rivers. This not only harmed the environment but also put the public’s health at risk. The scheme, which took place from 2008-2013, involved failing to properly store water samples, which compromised their integrity.

Instead of placing the samples on ice as required by law, Shelton and other employees would keep them in their trucks all day. They would only place the samples on ice on days when they knew they would be inspected, in an attempt to give the appearance that they were following proper procedures. This blatant disregard for the law and the environment is a clear example of the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

The case against Shelton was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorney Blair L. Malkin and Larry R. Ellis handled the prosecution, which resulted in Shelton’s sentence being imposed by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.

The sentencing of John W. Shelton serves as a reminder that those who engage in environmental crimes will be held accountable. The Clean Water Act is in place to protect the public’s health and the environment, and it is the responsibility of individuals and companies to comply with its provisions. The work of the FBI, EPA, and the US Attorney’s Office in this case demonstrates the importance of cooperation and enforcement in protecting the environment.

In conclusion, the case of John W. Shelton highlights the need for vigilance and enforcement in protecting the environment. The sentence imposed on Shelton serves as a warning to those who would seek to disregard environmental regulations and put the public’s health at risk. As the public becomes increasingly aware of the importance of environmental protection, it is likely that we will see more cases like this one, and it is the responsibility of law enforcement and the courts to ensure that those who engage in environmental crimes are held accountable.

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