Summary of Criminal Prosecutions
FISCAL YEAR: 2011
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Chemical & Metal Industries, Inc.
M.D. Louisiana 08-28-JUP-CN/08-28-RET-CN
M.D. Louisiana 08-28-JUP-CN/08-28-RET-CN
On July 29, 2003, Delvin Henry, an employee at the Honeywell Specialty Chemicals facility in Baton Rouge Louisiana, removed a plug from a one ton cylinder to empty it for reuse. Upon opening the cylinder, approximately 1800 pounds of spent antimony pentachloride, which is highly toxic and corrosive hazardous material, was violently released from the cylinder fatally injuring Henry, who died the following day from his injuries.
Chemical and Metal Industries, Inc. (C&MI) received the cylinder from a Honeywell locate in El Segundo, California, as a hazardous waste. The cylinder was relabeled and shipped to Honeywell's Baton Rouge facility for 5 years, where it remained until it was opened by Henry.
Chemical and Metal Industries, Inc. (C&MI) received the cylinder from a Honeywell locate in El Segundo, California, as a hazardous waste. The cylinder was relabeled and shipped to Honeywell's Baton Rouge facility for 5 years, where it remained until it was opened by Henry.
March 13, 2008
C&MI was charged in an Indictment with one count of violating RCRA {42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) - illegally storing hazardous waste} and one count of violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) {42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)}.
CITATION: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e), 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)
April 10, 2008
C&MI was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of violating the CAA violations {42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) - negligently release into the ambient air any hazardous air pollutant...} and one count of violating RCRA {42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) - knowingly treats, stores or disposes of any hazardous waste ... without a permit}.
January 13, 2010
C&MI pled guilty to negligently causing the release of hazardous air pollutants and thereby negligently placing another person in imminent danger of death, in violation of 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4).
Middle District of Louisiana
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2010 COLORADO COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF HONEYWELL EMPLOYEE BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that Chemical and Metal Industries Inc. (C&MI), a company based in Colorado, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady today to negligently causing the release of hazardous air pollutants and thereby negligently placing another person in imminent danger of death, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 7413(c)(4) (federal Clean Air Act). As a result of its guilty plea, the defendant corporation faces a term of probation of up to five years and a fine the greater of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), twice the gross gain from the offense, or twice the gross loss from the offense. The Court may also order restitution to the victim. Today(s guilty plea stems from a long-running investigation by the U.S. Attorney(s Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(s Office of Criminal Enforcement, and the Louisiana State Police into an incident that occurred in the summer of 2003 at Honeywell(s Baton Rouge Plant. On July 29, 2003, Delvin Henry, an employee at the Baton Rouge Plant, opened a one-ton cylinder, which C&MI had labeled as containing relatively benign refrigerant while the cylinder was at C&MI(s Colorado facility. Once opened, approximately 1800 pounds of spent antimony pentachloride, which is a highly toxic and corrosive hazardous material, was violently released from the cylinder. Mr. Henry was struck by the material and died the following day from his injuries. In 2008, Honeywell accepted responsibility for its role in the incident, pled guilty to negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act, and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $8,000,000, restitution of $2,000,000 to Mr. Henry(s three children, community restitution of $750,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, community restitution valued at $750,000 to the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, and community restitution valued at $500,000 to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Operations Center. U.S. Attorney Dugas stated: "The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to working with our federal and state partners to enforce our nation's environmental laws and ensure the safety of our workers. Corporations, like individuals, have a responsibility to comply with the law and a failure to do so will not be tolerated. "C&MI's mislabeling of a hazardous waste contributed to the death of a worker and serves as a lesson to those who falsely argue that environmental crimes are 'only paper' violations," said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent-in-Charge of EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement in Dallas. "Anyone who 'cuts corners' and puts the public or the environment at risk will be prosecuted." This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson, who serves as a Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
Middle District of Louisiana
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2010 COLORADO COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF HONEYWELL EMPLOYEE BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that Chemical and Metal Industries Inc. (C&MI), a company based in Colorado, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady today to negligently causing the release of hazardous air pollutants and thereby negligently placing another person in imminent danger of death, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 7413(c)(4) (federal Clean Air Act). As a result of its guilty plea, the defendant corporation faces a term of probation of up to five years and a fine the greater of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), twice the gross gain from the offense, or twice the gross loss from the offense. The Court may also order restitution to the victim. Today(s guilty plea stems from a long-running investigation by the U.S. Attorney(s Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(s Office of Criminal Enforcement, and the Louisiana State Police into an incident that occurred in the summer of 2003 at Honeywell(s Baton Rouge Plant. On July 29, 2003, Delvin Henry, an employee at the Baton Rouge Plant, opened a one-ton cylinder, which C&MI had labeled as containing relatively benign refrigerant while the cylinder was at C&MI(s Colorado facility. Once opened, approximately 1800 pounds of spent antimony pentachloride, which is a highly toxic and corrosive hazardous material, was violently released from the cylinder. Mr. Henry was struck by the material and died the following day from his injuries. In 2008, Honeywell accepted responsibility for its role in the incident, pled guilty to negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act, and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $8,000,000, restitution of $2,000,000 to Mr. Henry(s three children, community restitution of $750,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, community restitution valued at $750,000 to the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, and community restitution valued at $500,000 to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Operations Center. U.S. Attorney Dugas stated: "The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to working with our federal and state partners to enforce our nation's environmental laws and ensure the safety of our workers. Corporations, like individuals, have a responsibility to comply with the law and a failure to do so will not be tolerated. "C&MI's mislabeling of a hazardous waste contributed to the death of a worker and serves as a lesson to those who falsely argue that environmental crimes are 'only paper' violations," said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent-in-Charge of EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement in Dallas. "Anyone who 'cuts corners' and puts the public or the environment at risk will be prosecuted." This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson, who serves as a Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
March 25, 2011
Chemical and Metal Industries Inc. was sentenced to 24 months probation, ordered to pay a $1,000,000 fine, and $2,000,000 in restitution to the victim’s estate.
Middle District of Louisiana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2011 COLORADO COMPANY SENTENCED IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF HONEYWELL EMPLOYEE BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr., announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Tyson sentenced Chemical and Metal Industries Inc. (“C&MI”), a company based in Colorado, to two years probation, a $1,000,000 fine, and $2,000,000 in restitution to the victim’s estate, including his three children. The sentence stems from C&MI’s conviction for negligently causing the release of hazardous air pollutants and thereby negligently placing another person in imminent danger of death, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 7413(c)(4) (federal Clean Air Act). Today’s sentencing is the result of a long-running investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, and the Louisiana State Police into an incident that occurred in the summer of 2003 at Honeywell’s Baton Rouge Plant. On July 29, 2003, Delvin Henry, an employee at the Baton Rouge Plant, opened a one-ton cylinder, which C&MI had labeled as containing relatively benign refrigerant while the cylinder was at C&MI’s Colorado facility. Once opened, approximately 1800 pounds of spent antimony pentachloride, which is highly toxic and corrosive hazardous material, was violently released from the cylinder. Mr. Henry was struck by the material and died the following day from his injuries. In 2008, Honeywell accepted responsibility for its role in the incident, pled guilty to negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act, and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $8,000,000, restitution of $2,000,000 to Mr. Henry’s three children, community restitution of $750,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, community restitution valued at $750,000 to the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, and community restitution valued at $500,000 to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Operations Center. This is the largest criminal monetary penalty in the history of Middle District of Louisiana. U.S. Attorney Cazayoux stated: "The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to working with our federal and state partners to enforce our nation's environmental laws and ensure the safety of our workers. Corporations, like individuals, have a responsibility to comply with the law and a failure to do so will not be tolerated.” "Today’s sentencing demonstrates our commitment to enforce our nation's environmental laws and prosecute violators who damage the environment and place workers in harm's way,” said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Louisiana. “This company’s negligence led to the tragic death of an individual, a death that could have been avoided if the law was followed. This manner of doing business is not only dangerous it is criminal and it will not be tolerated.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson who serves as the Senior Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
Middle District of Louisiana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2011 COLORADO COMPANY SENTENCED IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF HONEYWELL EMPLOYEE BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr., announced today that Chief U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Tyson sentenced Chemical and Metal Industries Inc. (“C&MI”), a company based in Colorado, to two years probation, a $1,000,000 fine, and $2,000,000 in restitution to the victim’s estate, including his three children. The sentence stems from C&MI’s conviction for negligently causing the release of hazardous air pollutants and thereby negligently placing another person in imminent danger of death, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 7413(c)(4) (federal Clean Air Act). Today’s sentencing is the result of a long-running investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, and the Louisiana State Police into an incident that occurred in the summer of 2003 at Honeywell’s Baton Rouge Plant. On July 29, 2003, Delvin Henry, an employee at the Baton Rouge Plant, opened a one-ton cylinder, which C&MI had labeled as containing relatively benign refrigerant while the cylinder was at C&MI’s Colorado facility. Once opened, approximately 1800 pounds of spent antimony pentachloride, which is highly toxic and corrosive hazardous material, was violently released from the cylinder. Mr. Henry was struck by the material and died the following day from his injuries. In 2008, Honeywell accepted responsibility for its role in the incident, pled guilty to negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act, and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $8,000,000, restitution of $2,000,000 to Mr. Henry’s three children, community restitution of $750,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, community restitution valued at $750,000 to the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit, and community restitution valued at $500,000 to the Louisiana State Police Emergency Operations Center. This is the largest criminal monetary penalty in the history of Middle District of Louisiana. U.S. Attorney Cazayoux stated: "The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to working with our federal and state partners to enforce our nation's environmental laws and ensure the safety of our workers. Corporations, like individuals, have a responsibility to comply with the law and a failure to do so will not be tolerated.” "Today’s sentencing demonstrates our commitment to enforce our nation's environmental laws and prosecute violators who damage the environment and place workers in harm's way,” said Ivan Vikin, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Louisiana. “This company’s negligence led to the tragic death of an individual, a death that could have been avoided if the law was followed. This manner of doing business is not only dangerous it is criminal and it will not be tolerated.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson who serves as the Senior Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.
STATUTE:
- Clean Air Act (CAA)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)