Utah fugitive makes federal polluter list
EPA » Company owner may be armed and dangerous
Updated: 12/12/2008 09:33:29 AM MST
Larkin Baggett is a wanted man.
The former Salt Lake Valley businessman's amiable-looking mug is featured on a digital wanted poster of environmental-crime fugitives. He skipped out on his trial on charges of repeatedly dumping barrels full of toxic chemicals into the sewers.
In what might someday become the basis for a new spinoff, Law & Order: Eco, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency unveiled its new Web site publicizing the cases of Baggett and 20 other accused criminal polluters who are on the lam.
"Putting this information on the EPA's Web site will increase the number of 'eyes' looking for environmental fugitives," said Granta Y. Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in a news release.
The new "wanted" listing is aimed at getting help from the public and other law enforcement agencies in finding alleged environmental criminals and is the first of its kind for environmental fugitives. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms keep similar listings.
Besides photos of the accused, the EPA Web page provides key information about each man, including a "wanted" poster.
Baggett, 55, owned and operated Chemical Consultants, Inc. at 850 N. 550 West, Salt Lake City., the web page says.
"Alleged violations include: illegally treating and disposing of hazardous waste [and] illegally discharging acidic chemical wastes into a sewer system."
The listing also notes: "Baggett remains at large and is believed to be in Utah. Due to the large amount of weapons in his possession at the time of his arrest, he may be armed and dangerous."
In September 2007, a few days after he pleaded "not guilty" to the federal charges, Baggett denied he had broken the law.
Baggett told The Salt Lake Tribune the charges were based on the complaints of "a disgruntled employee who was trying to extort money from me. The whole thing to me is blown way out of proportion," he said.
Baggett's attorney, D. Gilbert Athay, declined comment when contacted Thursday.
Prosecutors allege that Baggett had his employees dump a poisonous stew of hazardous chemicals into the sewers, through a drain in his former facility and into the paved alley behind it.
Among chemicals that went into the public sewers were 49 percent hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, xylene and toluene. They were mixed to make truck wash acid aluminum brightener, truck wash soap, fuel conditioner and other products, the indictment says.
Two of the charges carry a maximum jail sentence of three years. Each remaining count carries a five-year-maximum sentence.
Baggett, 55, had disappeared by last spring, according to court filings and his trial was put on hold indefinitely.
Another fugitive on EPA's "wanted" page is Mauro Valenzuela, 39. The former mechanic for Sabertech is accused of illegally transporting hazardous materials on a commercial aircraft. A ValuJet flight carrying waste oxygen generators for Valenzuela without proper markings and other safety measures crashed in 1996 in Florida's Everglades, killing all 110 passengers and crew onboard.
?If you encounter one of the fugitives, you can file a "Report a Fugitive" form that is provided on the new Web site. You can also call the local contact number provided or contact local police. Also, because many of the fugitives relocate to foreign nations, you can contact the nearest U.S. Embassy.