Harold Hohn, Hazardous Waste Abandonment, California 2008

Corona, CA – A defunct trucking company and its owner have been sentenced for illegally abandoning a cache of hazardous waste in Riverside County, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. WH Tank Lines, once a hazardous waste transporter with offices in Spring Hill and Long Beach, California, left a trail of derelict vehicles and toxic materials, prompting a state investigation that culminated in guilty pleas earlier this year.

The case began to unfold in April 2005 when authorities discovered three abandoned truck trailers and three tank trucks on a fenced, vacant dirt lot in Corona. The vehicles had apparently been left at the location for approximately 18 months, with prior evidence suggesting a previous abandonment site roughly half a mile away. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and other markings definitively linked the waste to WH Tank Lines, which ceased operations in 1998.

An initial inspection of the abandoned vehicles revealed a disturbing scene: an estimated 120 to 150 drums were visible within two of the tank trucks, while a third trailer was filled with discarded tires. Crucially, fifteen of the accessible drums bore hazardous waste labels, identifying the contents as waste oil, hydrocarbon ink sludge, and other potentially dangerous materials. Dates stamped on the drums indicated the waste had been accumulating between 1995 and 1997, suggesting a long-term pattern of improper disposal.

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Legal Ramifications

On April 7, 2005, WH Tank Lines was formally charged in a state complaint with 21 counts of violating state environmental regulations. Subsequently, on October 1, 2007, Harold Hohn, believed to be the owner/operator of the company, was also charged with the same 21 counts. The charges stemmed from the unlawful abandonment of hazardous waste, a serious offense under California law. The specific statutes violated were not publicly disclosed, but the charges indicate non-compliance with regulations governing the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

The case concluded on April 3, 2008, with both WH Tank Lines and Hohn entering guilty pleas. WH Tank Lines pled guilty to 18 of the 21 counts and received a sentence of 36 months probation. The company was also ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment fee and a $5,287 state fine, with $5,000 of the fine being suspended. Hohn, meanwhile, pled guilty to all 21 counts and received the same 36-month probationary sentence, along with orders to pay $100 in restitution, a $16,300 special assessment fee, and $16,545 in state fines.

Key Facts

Defendant: WH Tank Lines & Harold Hohn
Location: Corona, California
Crime: Illegal abandonment of hazardous waste
Timeline: Abandonment occurred between 1995-2005, legal proceedings 2005-2008
Waste Materials: Waste oil, hydrocarbon ink sludge, shredded tires
Penalties: WH Tank Lines – 36 months probation, $5,000 assessment, $5,287 fine ($5,000 suspended). Hohn – 36 months probation, $100 restitution, $16,300 assessment, $16,545 fine

This case serves as a stark reminder of the environmental and financial risks associated with improper hazardous waste disposal. Authorities continue to investigate potential additional violations and are working to ensure the proper remediation of the abandoned site.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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