Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed felony criminal charges alleging Water Quality Act violations by William Ashton and William Brent Baker and the companies Owell Precast, LLC and L&B Resources, LLC.

Salt Lake City, UT - The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office filed felony criminal charges Thursday in 3rd District Court alleging Water Quality Act violations by William Ashton and William Brent Baker and the companies Owell Precast, LLC and L&B Resources, LLC. The attached charging documents outline the allegations of environmental crimes against the defendants.

As more specifically set forth in the attached Statement of Probable Cause, it is alleged that the defendants have been illegally disposing of waste for years. According to witnesses, on at least one occasion, three cement trucks were observed washing their cement chutes and mixer openings, allowing the mixture to flow down the apron of an artificial platform into the area directly adjacent to the Jordan River. To one witness, it appeared defendant Owell Precast, LLC was "bulking-up" the apron of the artificial platform with concrete mix, concrete chunks and solid waste including broken pallets, drums and rubber tubing. An employee of Owell Precast, LLC was advised that what the company was doing was a violation and was ordered to cease and desist.

Even though the defendant company had been notified they were allegedly violating the law, witnesses reported that the defendant companies continued to violate the Water Quality Act.

A short time after the above referenced observations, witnesses reported seeing fresh fill on the apron of the artificial platform. Witnesses compared photos taken the week before with the then existing conditions and saw new material discarded. In addition, a witness observed pools of fine concrete mix dispersing as much as 30 to 40 feet into the areas that are directly adjacent to the Jordan River.

The defendants have been charged with two Third Degree Felonies. Each Third Degree Felony against Mr. Ashton and Mr. Baker is punishable by a maximum prison sentence not to exceed five years and a fine not to exceed $50,000.00 per day of violation, and against each company as a fine not to exceed $50,000.00 per day of violation.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office expresses it appreciation to local law enforcement personnel and the Salt Lake County Health Dept., the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Crimes Task Force for their collaborative efforts and significant work during the investigation of these matters. The Environmental Crimes Task Force provides important environmental enforcement and education efforts. These criminal charges and the allegations set forth therein are the result of an ongoing effort in collaboration with multiple partners to address the issues of environmental degradation and abuse in our community.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

See attachment below for full release, including the additional, referenced documents.