A Newnan man has pled guilty to transporting hazardous waste without proper documentation, in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Deryl Parker, 44, has a history of hazardous waste violations dating back to the operation of a chemical company in a leased building in Senoia that became a Superfund cleanup site due to chemical releases into the environment, federal officials said.

Parker faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He entered the guilty plea this week in federal district court.

“The purpose of requiring documentation is to ensure that environmentally hazardous waste is handled and transported properly,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “This defendant has a previous conviction for transporting hazardous waste, so he knew he was required to have a manifest to transport such waste. Parker not only showed a blatant disregard for the law but threatened the safety of the citizens of his community when he drove around with drums of hazardous waste sitting in the back of his truck.”

“Environmental laws are intended to protect the public and the environment,” said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Those who transport hazardous waste without the proper safeguards pose a serious risk to public safety and first responders and may face federal prosecution.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: From February 2003 to May 2004, Parker possessed at least 17 drums containing hazardous waste. Each drum held approximately 55 gallons. These drums contained waste-flammable liquids, whose components included used lacquer thinner and waste paint. The chemical components of this waste were xylene, acetone, and toluene — substances that were potentially harmful and that had a “flash point,” or ignitability temperature, of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Shortly after special agents of the Environmental Protection Agency interviewed Parker about these drums, he transported them to a disposal company. By law, Parker was required to obtain a manifest to allow him to transport hazardous waste. Parker has a prior conviction for the storage and transportation of hazardous waste.

Parker was charged in August 2007 with one count of transporting hazardous waste without a manifest, in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., before United States District Judge Jack T. Camp.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul R. Jones and Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorney Lana N. Pettus are prosecuting the case.