Bend, Oregon – Former materials research facility owner, Thomas Alan Reynolds, was sentenced in June 2013 following a guilty plea related to the illegal abandonment of hazardous waste. The case, originating from a citizen complaint and subsequent investigation by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, revealed a pattern of unlawful disposal practices.
The initial alarm was raised in January 2013 when the Bend Fire and Police Departments responded to a report of abandoned materials within a rented storage locker. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a significant quantity of hazardous waste, prompting the mobilization of the EPA’s Emergency Response Unit. The unit was tasked with the costly and complex operation of safely removing and neutralizing the abandoned substances.
Investigators quickly traced the waste back to Reynolds, the former owner of ReyTech Corporation, a now-defunct materials research company. Evidence suggested Reynolds deliberately abandoned the hazardous materials within the storage unit, shirking his responsibility for their proper handling and disposal. The abandonment posed a potential risk to public health and the environment, necessitating the EPA’s immediate intervention.
Legal Ramifications
Reynolds was formally charged on January 29, 2013, with unlawful storage, treatment, or disposal of hazardous waste in the Second Degree, a violation of Oregon Revised Statute (O.R.S.) 468.922. The statute outlines strict regulations concerning the handling of hazardous materials and carries significant penalties for non-compliance.
Sentencing and Restitution
On June 17, 2013, Reynolds appeared before the court and entered a guilty plea. The sentencing reflected the severity of the offense and the financial burden placed on the EPA. Reynolds received a five-day incarceration sentence, followed by a 60-month probationary period. Furthermore, the court mandated 80 hours of community service and ordered Reynolds to pay $130,000 in restitution to the EPA to cover the expenses incurred during the cleanup of the hazardous waste.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Thomas Alan Reynolds
- Company: ReyTech Corporation (former owner)
- Location: Bend, Oregon
- Statute Violated: O.R.S. 468.922 (Unlawful storage, treatment or disposal of hazardous waste in the Second Degree)
- Penalties: 5 days incarceration, 60 months probation, 80 hours community service, $130,000 restitution to the EPA.
- Investigation Initiated By: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and EPA Region 10
- The case highlights the importance of responsible hazardous waste management and the consequences of neglecting environmental regulations.
The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of environmental laws and will pursue legal action against individuals and companies who endanger public health and the environment through illegal waste disposal practices.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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