Banning, CA – Steve Julius Kiss was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years of probation for illegally abandoning hazardous waste at a former manufacturing facility in 1995, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the ongoing issue of improper hazardous waste disposal by businesses and the potential environmental and public health consequences.
Kiss operated a magnetic tape leader manufacturing business in Banning, California. Following the closure of the business in 1992, he left behind numerous drums containing ignitable hazardous waste. The EPA’s Emergency Response team was later dispatched to remove and properly dispose of the dangerous materials, incurring significant costs and posing a potential threat to the surrounding environment. Investigators determined Kiss knowingly abandoned the waste, failing to adhere to federal regulations governing hazardous material management.
On February 10, 1995, Kiss was initially charged with two counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. A superseding information filed the same day added a third charge under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9603, for failing to report the release of a hazardous substance – a critical component of environmental protection protocols.
After initially pleading not guilty, Kiss entered a guilty plea on April 4, 1995, to one count each of RCRA and CERCLA violations. In exchange for the plea, one of the original RCRA counts was dismissed. The guilty plea signaled an admission of responsibility for his actions and the potential harm caused by the abandoned hazardous materials. The case underscores the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal charges against individuals who prioritize profit over environmental safety and regulatory compliance.
The sentencing, handed down on July 18, 1995, included a six-month period of incarceration, a $5,000 fine, and a 36-month probation period. While the prison sentence was relatively short, the financial penalty and probationary terms serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar illegal practices. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against hazardous waste violations to protect communities and ecosystems from potential contamination.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Steve Julius Kiss
- Location: Banning, California
- Year: 1995
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (RCRA – Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal) & 42 U.S.C. 9603 (CERCLA – Failure to Report Hazardous Substance Release)
- Penalties: Six months incarceration, 36 months probation, $5,000 fine
- Crime: Abandonment of ignitable hazardous waste following business closure.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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