Greer, SC – Timothy Ronald Howard, 51, former owner of American Waste, Inc., was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison this week for repeatedly violating the Clean Water Act. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain in Anderson, South Carolina, concludes a case stemming from Howard’s illegal dumping of septic waste into public sewer systems.
According to court documents, Howard illicitly discharged waste at unauthorized locations connected to both Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) and the Town of Lyman sewage systems on April 2, 2011, and June 18, 2013, respectively. The illegal dumping bypassed required pretreatment standards designed to protect the integrity of wastewater treatment facilities and safeguard public health. Investigators found the actions posed a significant risk to the environment and the communities served by these systems.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), and local law enforcement agencies including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Lyman Police Department, and Duncan Police Department, uncovered not only the illegal dumping but also deliberate attempts by Howard to obstruct the investigation. Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing revealed that Howard submitted falsified hauling log records to DHEC, omitting over 85% of his actual septage handling activities. He also made false statements to local authorities.
Environmental Impact & Legal Ramifications
The intentional circumvention of environmental regulations by rogue septic haulers is a serious concern, according to Andy Castro, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program. “Intentional acts…pose serious risks to the health of our community and environment,” Castro stated. The case highlights the EPA’s commitment to pursuing individuals who disregard environmental laws and jeopardize public safety.
Howard pleaded guilty on March 3, 2016, to two counts of violating pretreatment standards of the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. § 1317 and 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A). In addition to the 18-month prison sentence, Judge Cain ordered Howard to pay a $10,000 fine and serve one year of supervised release following his incarceration. The penalties reflect the severity of the offenses and are intended to deter others from similar unlawful behavior.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Timothy Ronald Howard
- Crime: Illegal Dumping of Septic Waste
- Location: Greer, South Carolina
- Year: 2016
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1317, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A)
- Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, $10,000 fine, 1 year supervised release
- Obstruction of Justice: Howard falsified records submitted to DHEC and made false statements to law enforcement.
Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake emphasized the office’s prioritization of environmental cases. “Environmental crimes have a serious cost for our society,” Drake stated, “especially in cases such as this where public facilities bear the brunt of the harm.” The EPA encourages the public to report environmental violations at (800)241-1754 or through their online reporting system at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/report-environmental-violations.
Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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