Mount Gilead, OH – The former owner of Taylor’s Industrial Services, LLC (TIS), and the now-defunct company itself, faced criminal charges and penalties for the illegal storage of hazardous waste, creating a significant risk to both property and residents in Morrow County, Ohio. The case, originating from actions between November 2008 and August 2013, highlights a concerning disregard for environmental regulations and public safety.
TIS, which operated in Mount Gilead from approximately 2003 to 2010 producing metal extrusion systems and components for renewable energy sources, allegedly allowed hazardous waste to accumulate at an unapproved location. Christopher Filos, the principal of TIS, was directly implicated in the unlawful storage and the resulting danger. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated the situation after concerns were raised regarding the potential for contamination and harm to surrounding properties.
According to court documents, Filos “unlawfully and recklessly” tolerated the storage of hazardous waste, as defined under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 3734.01 and Ohio Administrative Code 3745-51, at a site not authorized for such materials under R.C. 3734.02(F) (1) through (5). This violation extended beyond mere regulatory non-compliance; the EPA determined the stored waste presented a “substantial risk of physical harm” to neighboring landowners and residents.
Legal Ramifications
On May 15, 2015, Christopher Filos was formally charged with violating state environmental regulations. The charges ultimately led to a guilty plea on January 8, 2016, to Criminal Endangering, a first-degree misdemeanor under R.C. 2909.06. Simultaneously, Taylor’s Industrial Services, LLC, also entered a guilty plea to Illegal Storage of Hazardous Waste, a violation of R.C. 3734.02. The sentencing reflected a conditional approach, prioritizing restitution to the Ohio EPA.
Filos received a suspended sentence of six months in prison and a $1,000 fine, contingent upon full payment of $5,000 in restitution to the Ohio EPA. TIS was sentenced to a $10,000 fine, also suspended, provided the same $5,000 restitution was paid. This arrangement underscores the state’s focus on remediation and compensation for potential damages rather than solely punitive measures in this instance.
Future Concerns
While the immediate threat posed by the improperly stored waste has seemingly been addressed through the restitution agreement, the case raises questions about oversight of industrial facilities and the potential for long-term environmental consequences. The Ohio EPA continues to monitor sites with known hazardous materials, but proactive enforcement and thorough inspections are critical to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The lack of citations beyond the initial charges also warrants further scrutiny, as it may indicate a broader pattern of lax enforcement.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Taylor’s Industrial Services, LLC and Christopher Filos
- Location: Mount Gilead, Ohio
- Timeframe of Offense: November 2008 – August 2013
- Statutes Violated: Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 3734.02 (Illegal Storage of Hazardous Waste) and R.C. 2909.06 (Criminal Endangering)
- Penalties: Christopher Filos – 6 months suspended jail time, $1,000 suspended fine, $5,000 restitution. TIS – $10,000 suspended fine, contingent on $5,000 restitution.
- Nature of Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste, creating a substantial risk of harm to property and persons.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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