ALBUQUERQUE – Daniel Winard, 52, of Houston, Texas, is headed to federal prison for 24 months after knowingly endangering lives by illegally dumping a cocktail of dangerous chemicals across the Albuquerque area. Winard was sentenced for knowingly endangering and improper disposal of hazardous waste without a permit, a reckless act that forced a costly and extensive cleanup operation.
Court documents reveal Winard inherited a property in New Mexico previously owned by a retired energy company chemist. Along with the land came a disturbing legacy: a large collection of laboratory-grade hazardous waste. While Winard initially contacted local authorities about proper disposal, he balked at the expense and instead opted for a cheaper, far more dangerous solution – unlawful dumping at nine locations around Albuquerque. Among the toxins he discarded were cyanide, yellow phosphorus, calcium carbide, and thionyl chloride.
The sheer callousness of Winard’s actions is chilling. He understood the risks – the potential for violent reactions with water, the release of poisonous gas, and the harm to the environment. He even reportedly quipped about a “dumbass fireman” potentially discovering the chemicals and receiving a “surprise,” demonstrating a blatant disregard for first responders and the public. The discovery in August 2018 triggered an immediate response from local and federal agencies.
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County were left footing the bill for the cleanup, totaling $198,654.46. A private contractor was brought in to handle the hazardous materials, while the EPA took custody of the waste for further analysis. The scale of the contamination demanded a coordinated effort, highlighting the severity of Winard’s crime. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, the Natural Resources Section of the Bernalillo County Public Works Department, the City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department, and the Hazardous Waste Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department all played crucial roles in mitigating the damage.
“There is no excuse for putting lives, property, and the environment at risk by dumping hazardous chemicals,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “We will not tolerate reckless disregard for our communities’ safety. Those who endanger others for their own convenience can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Kim Bahney, EPA Special Agent in Charge, added, “Our investigation uncovered that the defendant deliberately discarded dangerous and reactive hazardous wastes in multiple areas, intending to ‘surprise’ first responders.”
On April 25, 2022, Winard pleaded guilty to one count of knowing endangerment. In addition to the 24-month prison sentence, he will face three years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $9,527.55 in restitution. This case serves as a stark reminder that cutting corners with hazardous waste disposal carries severe consequences, and those who prioritize profit over public safety will be held accountable. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, Southwest Area Branch, investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J. Sullivan prosecuted it.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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