Terry P. LeBlanc of Lafayette, La., was sentenced on May 20 to serve 21 months in prison, by the U.S. District Court in Lafayette, La., for violating the Clean Water Act by illegally filling wetlands. He must also serve 12 months supervised probation and pay a $3,000 criminal fine. On November 19, 2002, LeBlanc dumped large quantities of construction debris and roofing shingles into wetlands located in the "St. Martinville Road" area near Lafayette. Subsequent investigations by EPA uncovered a history of repeated violations at this site by LeBlanc. Dumping debris in wetlands can destroy important habitat for fish and wildlife. The case was investigated by the New Orleans Area Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
