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MISSISSIPPI POULTRY EXECUTIVE INDICTED
Release Date: 03/03/2000
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2000
MISSISSIPPI POULTRY EXECUTIVE INDICTED
John R. McCarty, of Jackson, Miss., was indicted on 55 counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act on Feb. 23. McCarty is a former corporate officer of Central Industries Inc., which operates a rendering plant in Forest, Miss. McCarty allegedly failed to correct problems at Central Industries that led to numerous discharges of improperly treated wastewater into Shockaloo Creek between May and July 1995. Each year the facility processes thousands of tons of entrails, blood, feathers and waste from six chicken slaughterhouses and as a result, large amounts of wastewater contain pollutants including ammonia, nitrogen, fecal coliform bacteria, oil, grease, suspended solids and rotting material. By allowing these wastes to be discharged into the Shockaloo Creek, a tributary of the Pearl River, McCarty allegedly exposed drinking water supplies to potential contaminants. Exposure to contaminated drinking water can cause intestinal and other infections in humans and is also harmful to aquatic organisms and wildlife. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI. The case is being jointly prosecuted by the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice and by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jackson.
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