Spartanburg, SC – A Campobello, South Carolina man has been sentenced for illegally dumping hazardous waste and littering, bringing a close to a case pursued by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Stanley Craig Flynn, 53, pleaded guilty in Spartanburg General Sessions Court on June 15, 2015, to charges stemming from a 2013 incident involving the discharge of petrochemical and water into a public storm drain.
According to court documents and a news release from the Attorney General’s office, on September 20, 2013, Flynn intentionally emptied the contents of a tanker truck – a mixture of petrochemicals and water – directly into a storm drainage outlet. This act not only polluted local waterways but also posed a potential threat to public health and the environment. The incident was discovered following an investigation into illegal waste disposal practices in the Spartanburg area.
This wasn’t Flynn’s first run-in with environmental regulations. Investigators revealed he had previously been cited in 2011 for storing hazardous waste on his property without the necessary permits. This pattern of disregard for environmental laws appeared to be a key factor in the severity of the charges and subsequent sentencing. The repeated violations suggest a deliberate and ongoing disregard for compliance, according to sources close to the investigation.
Legal Ramifications
Flynn was found guilty of one count of Littering In Excess of 500 Pounds, a violation of South Carolina Statute §16-11-700, and one count of violating the State Hazardous Waste Policy and Management Act, specifically §44-56-130 and 140. While facing potential jail time, Flynn received a one-year imprisonment sentence, which was immediately suspended and replaced with a five-year probationary period. He was, however, ordered to pay $13,374.53 in restitution to cover the costs of cleanup and environmental remediation related to the illegal dumping.
Investigation & Prosecution
The case was investigated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors argued that Flynn’s actions demonstrated a reckless indifference to the potential harm caused by the release of hazardous materials into the environment. The successful prosecution serves as a warning to others who might consider flouting environmental regulations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Stanley Craig Flynn
- Location: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Date of Offense: September 20, 2013
- Charges: Littering in Excess of 500 Pounds (§16-11-700) and Violation of the State Hazardous Waste Policy and Management Act (§44-56-130 and 140)
- Sentence: One year imprisonment (suspended), five years probation, $13,374.53 restitution
- Prior Violation: Cited in 2011 for storing hazardous waste without a permit.
The GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. This incident underscores the importance of strict enforcement of environmental regulations to protect South Carolina’s natural resources and the health of its citizens.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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