Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson (619) 546-7976
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - May 10, 2016
SAN DIEGO -Daniel Williams of Arizona pleaded guilty today in federal court, admitting that he concealed the illegal underground disposal of sewage at a recreational vehicle (RV) storage location in Holtville, California.
In 2005, Williams formed a partnership known as Dunes Toy Storage with another individual. In entering his plea, Williams acknowledged that a septic leach system was installed at Dunes Toy Storage even though he had no authorization from the EPA, and the permit obtained from Imperial County specifically prohibited the use of leach lines.
Williams admitted that he was aware that the sewage was leaching out underground at the site from 2006 to 2015. Williams stated that even after he became aware of the federal felony prosecution of Glamis Dunes Storage for the same offense, he concealed the existence of the underground discharge at Dunes Toy Storage and did not bring it to the attention of the authorities. Over the last decade, hundreds of thousands of gallons of improper waste was discharged at the site.
“Pollutants that are improperly discharged can contaminate our water supplies and sicken or injure people and wildlife," said Jay M. Green, Special Agent-in-Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California. “That’s why it is imperative that we enforce environmental laws and hold polluters accountable. Today’s plea demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting public health and the environment."
Williams is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on August 5, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No. 16cr1003-JLS
Daniel Williams Age: 67 Littlefield, Arizona
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Misprison of a Felony- Title 18, U.S.C., Section 4
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Bureau of Land Management, Office of Law Enforcement; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigations Division
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
