Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/
hester.luke@epa.gov
Emilio A. Perez and EMISAR Trucking and Equipment Inc. of Palm Beach County, Fla., were convicted on charges that they violated the
Clean Water Act (CWA) and charges of damaging federal property by dumping mixed solid wastes into wetlands at Bay Bottom and Sand Cut in Palm Beach County. Part of the wetlands belong to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dumping in wetlands can harm their environmental role in water purification and the provision of breeding grounds for fish and wildlife.
When sentenced, Perez faces a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison on the CWA charges and up to 10 years in prison for damaging federal property. In addition, both Perez and EMISAR Trucking each face maximum potential fines in excess of $250,000. The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Investigations Unit of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami.
