Longmont Man Charged With Illegally Discharging Sewage Into River
DENVER (CBS4)- A Longmont man and his business have been charged with discharging sewage into a river.
John Albert Paquette and his company East Point LLC, have been charged with knowingly discharging a pollutant without a permit from a point source into waters of the U.S.
Paquette appeared in court on Tuesday where he was advised the charges pending against him.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Paquette and East Point knowingly discharged 1,000 gallons of raw sewage from a hose into the Oligarchy Ditch, which flowed into the Union Reservoir, located in Longmont.
"Protecting our environment, including the water we rely on, is a top priority of this U.S. Attorney's Office," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. "Thanks to the investigative work of the EPA, we've been able to bring charges against a person and a company who intentionally dirtied water in the city of Longmont."
"The defendant has been charged with dumping untreated sewage directly into a tributary of Union Reservoir, a popular recreational lake," said Jeffrey Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of EPA's criminal enforcement program in Colorado.
"Illegally discharged sewage can sicken people, fish and wildlife. This case shows that those who try to save a buck by cutting corners will be vigorously prosecuted."
If convicted, the company faces not more than five years probation, a fine of at least $5,000 and not more than $50,000 per day of violation.
Paquette, if convicted, faces up to one year in prison and a fine of at least $2,500 and not more than $25,000 per day of violation.
