Robert Ingold, Unlawful Disposal of Waste, Colorado 2011

Commerce City, CO – Waytech LLC, a Colorado-based used oil collection service, has been implicated in a long-running illegal dumping scheme that left a vacant property heavily contaminated and requiring over $210,000 in remediation. The case, originating in late 2009, culminated in guilty pleas from the company and several of its employees, revealing a pattern of deliberately discarding thousands of gallons of oily waste.

Prosecutors allege that Waytech, contracted to remove used oil from local restaurants, instead of properly disposing of the material, repeatedly dumped it on a property in Commerce City over several months. The illicit activity caused significant environmental damage, necessitating a costly cleanup operation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked in conjunction with Colorado state authorities to investigate and prosecute the violations.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Timeline of Events & Legal Ramifications

The legal proceedings began on November 30, 2009, with Waytech LLC charged with two counts of violating Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 18-4-501 and C.R.S. 30-20-102(2). The company subsequently entered a guilty plea on both counts. Parallel charges were filed against individuals connected to the company, including Robert Ingold, and later, Sudduth and Brickey. Sudduth and Waytech both pled guilty to Criminal Mischief on May 6, 2010, while Brickey admitted guilt to Unlawful Disposal of Waste on May 21, 2010.

The most severe sentence was handed down to Sudduth on August 18, 2010. He received a 288-month incarceration sentence, with 264 months suspended. The remaining 24 months were stayed pending full restitution and completion of the property remediation. In addition to the suspended sentence, Sudduth was sentenced to 144 months of probation and ordered to pay $107,000 in restitution. As part of the judgment, Waytech LLC was ordered to liquidate assets by selling one of its trucks, with the proceeds directed towards restitution funds.

Robert Ingold also faced consequences for his involvement. He pled guilty on September 29, 2010, and was sentenced on January 14, 2011, to 60 days of home detention and 36 months of probation. The case highlights the potential for significant penalties under both state and federal environmental regulations for those who prioritize profit over responsible waste management.

Key Facts

Defendant: Waytech LLC
Crime: Illegal Dumping of Oily Waste
Location: Commerce City, Colorado
Year: 2011 (charges originated in 2009)
Laws Violated: C.R.S. 18-4-501, C.R.S. 30-20-102(2)
Remediation Costs: Estimated at $210,000
Restitution Ordered: $107,000 (Sudduth), plus asset liquidation from Waytech LLC.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments regarding the remediation efforts and potential impacts on the surrounding community. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent oversight in the waste disposal industry and the severe repercussions for environmental crimes.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases