A tangled web of deception and environmental endangerment unraveled in Florida courts last year, culminating in the sentencing of Tommy Gene Craft Jr., along with executives and two corporations involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of an unregistered pesticide. The case, investigated by a multi-agency task force including the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, exposed a deliberate scheme to circumvent federal regulations and profit from a potentially harmful product.
The central figure in the fraud was New Nautical Coatings, Inc., operating as “Sea Hawk Paints,” and its sister company, Sea Hawk Refinish Line, Inc. From 2006 to 2009, New Nautical continued producing “Biocop,” an antifouling coating containing tributyltin methacrylate (TBT), despite the Environmental Protection Agency revoking its registration in 2005. TBT is a highly toxic chemical known to inflict significant damage on marine ecosystems. The EPA cancellation made it unlawful to manufacture or sell Biocop after specific dates, a restriction the companies knowingly ignored.
To mask their illicit activities, New Nautical employees were instructed to alter batch numbers on Biocop cans, effectively erasing production dates and concealing the ongoing manufacture. Sales were then funneled through Refinish Line, creating a layer of separation intended to obscure the source of the illegal product. Erik Norrie, David Norrie, Jason Revie, and Tommy Craft, all employees within the corporate structure, were instrumental in distributing the unregistered pesticide throughout Florida and beyond.
The scheme began to unravel following a sale in Broward County in May 2009. David Norrie allegedly directed a customer to falsely deny receiving Biocop and its origin from New Nautical when questioned by EPA investigators – a clear attempt to obstruct justice. Six months later, a search warrant executed on New Nautical’s premises yielded crucial evidence that ultimately led to the indictment and conviction of all involved. The investigation revealed a systematic effort to prioritize profit over environmental safety and regulatory compliance.
Penalties and Legal Violations
Tommy Gene Craft Jr. received a one-year probationary sentence for his role in knowingly distributing and selling the unregistered pesticide. New Nautical Coatings, Inc. faced the most substantial penalty: a $1,235,315 fine, representing the unlawful gains derived from the scheme, and a three-year probationary period including a mandatory Environmental Compliance Program. Sea Hawk Refinish Line, Inc. was sentenced to one year of probation. Erik Norrie received a three-month prison sentence, while David Norrie was sentenced to five months incarceration followed by six months of home confinement, and Jason Revie also received one year of probation. The defendants were charged with violating 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy) and 07 U.S.C. 136j(a)(1)(A) (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act – FIFRA).
Key Facts
- Defendants: Tommy Gene Craft Jr., New Nautical Coatings, Inc., Sea Hawk Refinish Line, Inc., Erik Norrie, David Norrie, Jason Revie
- Crime: Illegal manufacture and sale of an unregistered pesticide (Biocop) containing TBT, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
- Location: Clearwater and Hillsborough County, Florida
- Timeline: Illegal production spanned from 2006-2009; sentencing occurred December 5, 2014.
- Financial Penalty: New Nautical Coatings, Inc. was fined $1,235,315.
- Environmental Impact: Biocop contained TBT, a highly toxic chemical damaging to marine life.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding accountable those who prioritize profit over public health and ecological preservation. The multi-agency collaboration underscores the importance of a unified front in combating environmental crimes and protecting vulnerable ecosystems.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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