  
3/4/2026
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Have knowledge of a CWA crime? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtoh.us
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 745 am EST
CWA CrimeBox
Environmental Crimes Historic Conviction: Fiscal Year 2015; Case ID# CR_2769 (Ohio)
Oil and gas wastewater deliberately dumped into a tributary of Mahoning River
One of 867 Criminal Prosecutions under the Clean Water Act (from 1989-2024)
"Clean air and fresh water is the birthright of every man, woman and child in this state. Intentionally breaking environmental laws is not the cost of doing business, it's going to cost business owners their freedom."
Steven M. Dettelbach, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
The Defendant in this case is an oil and gas well drilling company operating out of Youngstown, Ohio. A Clean Water Act felony investigation concluded in 2015 with the sentencing of the corporate Defendant. The owner of the company was tried separately for directing employees to partially empty wastewater storage tanks down a storm drain leading to a tributary of Mahoning River.
Northern District of Ohio federal court learned the CWA violations occurred at least thirty times during late 2012 through January 2013. Fifty-eight wastewater storage tanks held 20,000 gallons of oily wastewater containing drill cuttings, benzene and toluene. Rather than having the toxic contents transferred for the appropriate treatment and disposal by a licensed hazardous waste hauler, the owner directed employees to partially drain full storage tanks at night.
The owner was tried first, pleading guilty to CWA felony charges, sentenced to prison for two years and four months. The corporation was sentenced to a federal fine, restitution payments divided equally between Friends of the Mahoning River and Midwest Environmental Enforcement Association.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Beeson following an investigation by the Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, U.S. EPA, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Youngstown Department of Public Works and the Youngstown Fire Department.
Prison: 28 months; Federal Fines: $75,000; Restitution: $25,000; Probation: 24 months
See last week's CWA CrimeBox here, Liquid cyanide kills fish for three miles in a tributary of the Lake Erie drainage basin, business owner's wife convicted of conspiracy
CWA CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.
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