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FISCAL YEAR: 2009
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Guy Hylton
W.D.  Oklahoma  5:06-CR-00299
2. DEFENDANT: Chick Little
W.D.  Oklahoma  5:06-CR-00299

In May 2002, Guy Hylton bought a former railroad depot built in the 1900s that was renovated and used by Elk City. During a five-month period in 2003, inmates from a local work program were used to remove asbestos from the property without being provided the proper protective clothing or equipment. By doing so, city officials negligently caused the release of asbestos into the air and risked the health of the inmates.

Hylton, Jr., the city manager for Elk City, Oklahoma, and Chick Little, a building superintendent for the city, were found guilty by a jury in August 2007 of a Clean Air Act (“CAA”) negligent endangerment charge. Little also was convicted of a false statement violation.

This case was investigated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.



January 10, 2008
On January 10, 2008, Guy Hylton, Jr., was sentenced to serve six months’ incarceration and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. Co-defendant Chick Little was sentenced to serve eight months’ incarceration followed by two years’ supervised release.
CITATION: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 42 USC 7413 (c)(5)(A)
STATUTE:
  • Clean Air Act (CAA)
  • Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code (TITLE 18)

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