Beaver, PA – Thomas Earnest Eaton, owner of the Clarendon Water Company, received an 18-month federal prison sentence in March 2001 following a conviction on multiple charges including making false statements and unlawful firearm possession. While initially indicted on charges relating to the possession and deployment of a chemical weapon, Eaton was ultimately acquitted of that specific count, though the case revealed a disturbing pattern of deception and potential public endangerment.
The case, investigated by federal authorities, stemmed from allegations that Eaton illegally possessed a chlorine cylinder and subsequently released chlorine gas into a residence in Beaver, Pennsylvania. The EPA’s involvement began with concerns over Eaton’s reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Eaton falsely informed the Warren County Emergency Planning Commission that his company maintained only 75 pounds of chlorine at its Center Street Pump station. Investigators determined this claim was demonstrably false, masking the true volume of the hazardous substance stored on site.
On March 30, 2000, a grand jury indicted Eaton on four counts: one count of making a false statement in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1001, one count each of violating 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1) and §924(a)(2) for unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of violating 18 U.S.C. §229(a)(1) & (a)(2) relating to the illegal possession of a chemical weapon.
The trial, held in federal court, saw the prosecution present evidence detailing Eaton’s false EPCRA reporting and the circumstances surrounding the chlorine release. While the jury found insufficient evidence to convict Eaton on the chemical weapon charges – potentially due to questions surrounding intent or proof of actual deployment as a weapon – they did find him guilty of the false statement and firearms offenses. The acquittal on the chemical weapon count does not diminish the seriousness of the other crimes committed.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Thomas Earnest Eaton
- Location: Beaver, Pennsylvania
- Charges: False statement, unlawful firearm possession, attempted chemical weapon deployment
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. §1001, 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1), 18 U.S.C. §924(a)(2), 18 U.S.C. §229(a)(1), 18 U.S.C. §229(a)(2)
- Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, 36 months probation, $15,000 fine
- Company: Clarendon Water Company
On March 31, 2001, Judge [Name of Judge not provided in source data] imposed the sentence of 18 months incarceration, followed by a three-year probationary period. Eaton was also ordered to pay a $15,000 federal fine. The case highlights the importance of accurate reporting of hazardous materials and the severe penalties associated with both making false statements to federal authorities and illegally possessing firearms. The incident also raised concerns regarding the security of chemical storage facilities and the potential for misuse of dangerous substances.
GrimyTimes reached out to the EPA and the Department of Justice for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication. Further investigation into the Clarendon Water Company’s safety protocols and the circumstances surrounding the chlorine release are ongoing.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
