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MICHIGAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSPORTATION
Release Date: 04/06/2000
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2000
MICHIGAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL
HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSPORTATION
HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSPORTATION
Luke Masenick of Raleigh, N.C., pleaded guilty on March 31 to violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by transporting paint and solvent wastes from a painting company to four sites in Macomb County, Mich., one of which was near an elementary school. The materials were ignitable and also contained xylene, ethyl benzene, toluene and lead. Benzene is a known carcinogen and exposure to sufficient quantities of lead can lead to disorders of the bones and nervous system. Under his plea agreement with the government Masenick faces up to fifteen months in prison. A second defendant in this case, Matthew David Smith, is currently serving a 20-month prison sentence, and a third defendant, Gregory Kopke, is scheduled to go to trial on RCRA and conspiracy charges on April 25. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit, Mich.
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