Polluters: Environmental Criminals, Consent Decrees and Other Pollution Cases
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Polluters: Environmental Criminals, Consent Decrees and Other Pollution Cases

By EHSO.com, the site for free, objective, practical information about the environment, health and safety in 2023!

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Polluters: Environmental Criminals, Consent Decrees and Other Pollution Cases

EPA Report Environmental Violations BadgeEnvironmental Polluter (and Other Violators) of the Week
(More like bi-weekly, actually)

*True cases of environmental criminals and other violators and violations of environmental laws, regulations, statutes and pollution standards from real court cases and consent decrees

reporting EPA fugitives information and signing up for criminal enforcement bulletins and alerts.

 

The EPA and its federal, state and local law enforcement partners investigate and prosecute significant and egregious violations of environmental laws. These investigations involve, but are not limited to, the illegal disposal of hazardous waste; the illegal discharge of pollutants to a water of the United States; the illegal importation of certain restricted or regulated chemicals into the United States; tampering with a drinking water supply; mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering relating to environmental criminal activities.

People often ask us, "It seems like companies get away with polluting all the time, just look at Exxon and the Valdez!" While it may be true that some companies treat the environment, your community's well-being and your health like a doormat and act as though their crimes are nothing more than a public relations expense; individuals and companies are being caught all the time. And the penalties are severe! Follow Detective Joe Friday and read on to learn about the appalling gall of these jerks and their crimes.

It is EHSO's opinion that our society's obsession with money and instant wealth, combined with a generally apathetic public, and politicians more concerned with polls than pollution is leading to an increase in pollution and deliberate polluters. If you suspect a persistent polluter in your area, email us (or click here to use the EPA's report a violator form) for instructions to assist the EPA in catching him! To search a company's compliance history, click here!

Disclaimer: The following news stories are all taken verbatim from EPA releases, so don't even think of trying to sue us if you or your firm's name is here! We will WELCOME the publicity! Will your company?

James Kenneth Ward: Apprehended

mug shot of James Ward with Apprehended written across

EPA Fugitives - Captured/Surrendered

Follow the links below to see information about fugitives who have either been captured and returned to federal authorities or who have surrendered to federal authorities. They will face their original charges; have a sentence imposed against them; or complete their original sentence. To view a complete listing of EPA Fugitives still at-large, please see EPA Fugitives .

Current Fugitives

To read each fugitive profile, click the image:

To read each fugitive profile, click the image or scroll down the page.

thumbnail image of Christian Tejada photograph of fugitive Omran Alghazouli photograph of fugitive Raul Chavez Beltran photograph of fugitive John Karayannides photograph of Fugitive Aage Lokkebratenphotograph of fugitive Michael Psomadakis Fugitive Peter Solemdal Fugitive Knut Sorboe photograph of fugitive Jimmy Szypulski

  • Current Fugitive Profiles

    fugitive photo of Christian Tejada

    Christian Tejada
    • Wanted Poster
    • Tejada was charged in the Northern District of New York.
    • Tejada bought and sold motor vehicle simulator devices (a.k.a. emissions emulators or OBD II Simulators) throughout the United States.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Conspiracy to Violate the Clean Air Act
      • Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Government
      • Failure to appear for sentencing
    • Tejada currently is a fugitive believed to be living in the Dominican Republic.
    • If sighted, contact the U.S. Marshalls Office (315) 473-7620/7601, the EPA-CID Syracuse Resident Office (315) 422-5720, or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

    photograph of fugitive Orman Alghazouli

    Omran Alghazouli

    • Wanted Poster
    • Alghazouli was charged in the Southern District of California.
    • Alghazouli sold R-12 Freon, an ozone depleting substance, that had been illegally smuggled from Mexico.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Conspiracy to Smuggle
      • Conspiracy to Launder Money
      • Money Laundering
    • Alghazouli currently is a fugitive believed to be living in Syria.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in San Diego, California at: 1-619-557-2920 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

    Top of page

    photograph of fugitive Raul Chavez Beltran

    Raul Chavez-Beltran

    • Wanted Poster
    • Chavez-Beltran was charged in the Western District of Texas - El Paso Division.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Illegal transportation, storage and disposal of mercury contaminated soil
      • Conspiracy
      • Mail Fraud
    • Chavez-Beltran is the President of EnCon Environmental Services, Inc.
    • Chavez-Beltran has been a fugitive living and working in Mexico.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Dallas, Texas at: 1-214-665-6600 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

    Top of page

    photograph of fugitive John Karayannides

    John Karayannides

    • Wanted Poster
    • Karayannides was charged in the Southern District of Florida in a multiple count indictment.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Illegal dumping of oil
      • Conspiracy
    • Karayannides was involved in the illegal discharge of tons of oil-contaminated grain from his ship, into the ocean.
    • Karayannides fled the country prior to indictment.
    • Karayannides is believed to be in the Athens, Greece area.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Kansas City, Kansas at: 1-913-551-7999 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

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    Aage Lokkebraten was born on November 14, 1942. No photograph of fugitive Lokkebraten is available

    LOKKEBRATEN

    Aage Lokkebraten

    • Wanted Poster
    • As a ship's Chief Engineer, Lokkebraten was charged in a four count indictment in the Southern District of Florida.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Aiding and Abetting false entries into an Oil Record Book
      • Conspiracy
      • Creating an official false document
    • Lokkebraten violated the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
    • Lokkebraten fled the country prior to being indicted.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Miami, Florida at: 1-305-536-6700 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

    Top of page

    photograph of fugitive Michael Psomadakis

    Michael Evangelos Psomadakis

    • Wanted Poster
    • Psomadakis, the Chief Engineer on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) vessel, was charged in the Southern District of Florida.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Tampering with a witness
    • Psomadakis directed other RCCL employees to make false statements to the company and to criminal investigators.
    • Psomadakis fled the jurisdiction of the United States prior to arrest. He is believed to be in Athens, Greece.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Miami, Florida at: 1-305-536-6700 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

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    SOLEMDAL

    Peter Solemdal

    • Wanted Poster
    • As a ship's Chief Engineer, Solemdal was charged in a four count indictment in the Southern District of Florida.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Aiding and Abetting false entries into an Oil Record Book
      • Conspiracy
      • Creating an official false document
    • Solemdal violated the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
    • Solemdal fled the country prior to being indicted/arrested. Whereabouts are unknown.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Miami, Florida at: 1-305-536-6700 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

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    SORBOE

    Kurt Sorboe

    • Wanted Poster
    • As a ship's Chief Engineer, Sorboe was charged in a four count indictment in the Southern District of Florida.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Aiding and Abetting false entries into an Oil Record Book
      • Conspiracy
      • Creating an official false document
    • Sorboe violated the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
    • Sorboe fled the country prior to being indicted/arrested. Whereabouts unknown.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in Miami, Florida at: 1-305-536-6700 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

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    photograph of fugitive Jimmy Szypulski

    Zidzislaw (Jimmy) Szypulski

    • Wanted Poster
    • Szypulski, an asbestos removal supervisor, was charged in the Southern District of New York, on a one-count indictment.
    • Alleged violations include:
      • Illegal asbestos removal
    • Szypulski failed to appear in court and fled.
    • Szypulski is believed to be in Warsaw, Poland.
    • If sighted, contact the Criminal Investigation Division office in New York City, New York at: 1-212-637-3610 or submit the Report a Fugitive's Location web form.

    2023 and 2022 Polluter and environmental enforcement cases

     

    Settlement with Marina will Result in Cleaner Air on Block Island

    Release Date:
    03/15/2017

    Settlement Yields Protection for Deerfield River from Highway Project Runoff

    Release Date:
    03/13/2017

    Settlement with Northglenn, Colo. retailer resolves alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

    Release Date:
    03/13/2017

    EPA Reaches Settlement with Two N.H. Companies for Failure to Disclose Lead Paint Information or Follow Lead-Safe Work Practices at Residential Property in Manchester

    Release Date:
    02/28/2017

    EPA, U.S. Department of Justice and State of Alaska settle with City of Palmer for wastewater violations

    Release Date:
    02/14/2017

    Northeast Denver initiative resolves alleged violations of lead-safe home renovation requirements

    Release Date:
    02/14/2017

    Chevron and Western Nuclear to continue work at two Navajo Area mines

    Release Date:
    02/09/2017

    EPA settlement with Oregon landowner results in wetland restoration in Warrenton

    Release Date:
    02/08/2017

    Jaffrey, N.H. Facility to Upgrade its Wastewater Treatment Systems Under Clean Water Act Settlement

    Release Date:
    02/06/2017

    Wilmington Company Is Sentenced For Environmental Crimes

    Release Date:
    02/02/2017

    EPA cites Longview, WA, Oil company for spill prevention and control violations

    Release Date:
    02/02/2017

    EPA Proposes Action on Fairbanks, Alaska Air Quality Plan

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    U.S. EPA protects Bay Area residents from hazardous lead paint

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    Maine Blueberry Processor Takes Steps to Better Protect Public Health under EPA Settlement

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    EPA settlement with Matson resolves 2013 molasses spill into Honolulu Harbor

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    U.S. EPA and Customs joint operations at Southern California ports result in fines and seizure of illegal engines and pesticides

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    Brattleboro Company Takes Steps to Better Protect Public Health under EPA Settlement

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    Magellan Pipeline Settles Alleged Clean Water Act Violations Related to Spills in Texas, Nebraska and Kansas

    Release Date:
    01/19/2017

    Tauber Oil Company Settles Allegations of Selling Unregistered Fuel Additive in Violation of Clean Air Act

    Release Date:
    01/18/2017

    Bandit Industries, Inc., Settles Alleged Clean Air Act Violations for Manufacturing and Selling Wood Processing Equipment That Failed to Meet Emissions Standards

    Release Date:
    01/18/2017

    Compliance with Environmental Laws Helps Protect Air, Water and Land in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

    Release Date:
    01/17/2017

    City of Tyler, Texas, Agrees to Extensive Sewer System Upgrades and Operational Improvements to Comply with Clean Water Act

    Release Date:
    01/17/2017

    Settlement Helps Protect Public Health in South Windsor, Conn.

    Release Date:
    01/13/2017

    U.S. EPA Releases Annual Toxic Release Inventory Report for Pacific Southwest

    Release Date:
    01/12/2017

    Innophos Addresses Mismanagement of Hazardous Waste at Louisiana Facility Under Settlement Agreement

    Release Date:
    01/12/2017

    EPA notifica a Fiat Chrysler sobre las violaciones a la Ley de Aire Limpio

    Release Date:
    01/12/2017

    EPA Notifies Fiat Chrysler of Clean Air Act Violations

    Release Date:
    01/12/2017

    11:00 AM EST: EPA To Make Announcement Today Regarding Major Automaker

    Release Date:
    01/12/2017

    Volkswagen acepta declararse culpable y pagar $4.3 mil millones en multas criminales y civiles

    Release Date:
    01/11/2017

    Volkswagen Agrees to Plead Guilty, Pay $4.3 Billion in Criminal and Civil Penalties

    Release Date:
    01/11/2017

    TODAY: EPA Admin. Gina McCarthy, Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch, Other Federal Officials Announce Major Development in Volkswagen Investigation

    Release Date:
    01/11/2017