Stephen Lane Adkins, Environmental Crime, OK 2001

Oklahoma City, OK – Stephen Lane Adkins, President of oil field chemical manufacturer Amtech Corporation, was sentenced in January 2001 following a guilty plea to federal charges of illegally dumping hazardous waste. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a deliberate scheme to circumvent environmental regulations and endanger public health and the environment.

According to court documents, Adkins, along with Amtech Vice-President, orchestrated the illegal disposal of hazardous waste generated by their company. Instead of adhering to proper waste management protocols, Amtech directed the dumping of the contents of numerous drums into the Oklahoma City sewer system. This reckless act directly violated the Clean Water Act and posed a significant threat to the city’s wastewater treatment facilities and the surrounding waterways.

The illicit activity didn’t stop there. Investigators discovered additional drums of hazardous waste were illegally dumped in a field near Asher, Oklahoma. Further investigation revealed the defendants also stored and buried hazardous materials at another undisclosed location, compounding the environmental damage and increasing the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. The dumping and burial practices were a clear violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), designed to govern the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

The investigation, which led to an indictment on August 29, 2000, uncovered a pattern of intentional disregard for environmental laws. Federal prosecutors successfully demonstrated that Adkins and Mayhan knowingly engaged in the illegal transportation and disposal of hazardous materials to avoid the costs associated with responsible waste management. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program aims to deter such behavior through prosecution and significant penalties.

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Sentencing and Penalties

On January 4, 2001, Adkins received a six-month prison sentence, followed by a 36-month probationary period. He was also ordered to pay a substantial federal fine of $25,000. Mayhan, the Vice-President of Amtech, received a 36-month probationary sentence, a $25 special assessment fee, and a $10,000 federal fine on January 26, 2001. These penalties reflect the severity of the crimes and the commitment of the justice system to protecting the environment.

Key Facts

Defendant: Stephen Lane Adkins (President, Amtech Corporation)
Co-Defendant: Mayhan (Vice-President, Amtech Corporation)
Company: Amtech Corporation – Oil field chemical manufacturer
Location: Oklahoma City & Asher, Oklahoma
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) (Clean Water Act) & 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
Disposal Methods: Illegal dumping into Oklahoma City sewer system, dumping in a field, and burial of hazardous waste.
Penalties: Adkins – 6 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $25,000 fine. Mayhan – 36 months probation, $25 assessment, $10,000 fine.

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant consequences. The EPA continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of those who intentionally endanger our communities and natural resources through illegal waste disposal practices.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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