William Henry Huhn, Violating California’s Health and Safety Code Section 25189(B), California 2006

Corona, CA – William Henry Huhn was sentenced in March 2006 after pleading guilty to illegally dumping hazardous waste in Corona, California. The case, originating from an investigation initiated in 2005, revealed a pattern of reckless disregard for environmental regulations and public safety.

The investigation began after authorities discovered three truck trailers and three tank trucks abandoned on a fenced, vacant dirt lot. These vehicles, formerly part of Huhn’s now-defunct hazardous waste transportation company, W.H. Tanklines – which ceased operations in 1998 – had been left to deteriorate on the site for approximately 18 months, previously residing on a nearby lot half a mile away. A closer examination uncovered hundreds of drums and piles of shredded tires within the abandoned trucks.

Investigators determined that the drums contained a variety of hazardous materials, including waste oil, hydrocarbon sludge, and other unidentified wastes. Labels on the drums indicated the waste originated from multiple generators, suggesting a widespread disregard for proper waste handling procedures. Notably, accumulation dates on the drums ranged from 1995 to 1997, indicating the illegal accumulation and abandonment of hazardous waste spanned several years before the discovery.

Huhn was initially charged with 21 counts of violating California’s Health and Safety Code Section 25189(B), which specifically prohibits the disposal of hazardous waste at an unauthorized point or facility. The abandoned lot lacked any permits or safeguards necessary for the legal storage or disposal of such materials, posing a significant risk of soil and water contamination. The state argued that Huhn knowingly and willfully violated these regulations, prioritizing cost-cutting over environmental responsibility.

On March 9, 2006, Huhn entered a guilty plea to one count of the aforementioned violation. Riverside County Superior Court sentenced him to four months of incarceration, followed by a 36-month probationary period. In addition to the jail time and probation, Huhn was ordered to pay $200 in restitution to cover investigative costs and a substantial $5,000 state fine. The case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences associated with improper hazardous waste management.

The closure of W.H. Tanklines in 1998 appears to have been followed by an attempt to evade responsibility for the company’s hazardous waste liabilities, leaving a contaminated mess for taxpayers and environmental authorities to address. While the full extent of the environmental damage caused by the abandoned waste remains unclear, this case highlights the importance of diligent oversight of hazardous waste transporters and the need for robust enforcement of environmental regulations.

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Key Facts

Defendant: William Henry Huhn
Company: W.H. Tanklines (defunct)
Location: Corona, California
Statute Violated: California Health and Safety Code Section 25189(B) – Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal
Charges: Initially 21 counts, reduced to one guilty plea
Sentence: 4 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $200 restitution, $5,000 fine
Waste Found: Waste oil, hydrocarbon sludge, and other hazardous materials in hundreds of drums and shredded tires
Timeline: Waste accumulated 1995-1997, Abandonment ~18 months prior to discovery, Charges filed 04-07-2005, Plea/Sentence 03-09-2006

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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