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Utah's U.S. Attorney says the case of an alleged polluter should send a strong message to those who might illegally dump toxic chemicals. The Utah man made a list of 20 most wanted criminal polluters and is now on the run, considered armed and dangerous.
Larkin Baggett, 53, is charged with six environmental crimes, including directing workers at his company, Chemical Consultants, to dump toxic chemicals into the sewer and into the ground. [Click to look at Baggett's wanted poster]
"It's a crime, and it needs to be investigated aggressively, and it needs to be prosecuted to its fullest extent," said U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman.
"One of these substances was acutely toxic to aquatic life," explained Lori Hanson, special agent in charge of the EPA's criminal investigation division.
"What happens is South Davis cannot treat that stuff, and it ends up being passed through the sewer system," Hanson said.
In a nine-page indictment, prosecutors allege Baggett had his employees dumped a nasty mix of toxic chemicals through a drain, an open grate, a paved alley and some gravel. The government claims it happened at two locations in North Salt Lake.
Among the chemicals that made it into the sewers, a chemistry lab of dangerous stuff including hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.
Baggett never showed up for trial and fled. He's considered armed and dangerous. When arrested, authorities found hundreds of rounds of ammunition and assault weapons in his car.
"Those are serious weapons, and they give us great pause and alarm, especially now that he's a fugitive," Tolman said.
"We want the public's help in locating him so he can be brought to justice and face his day in court," Hanson said.
A call to Baggett's attorney, Gil Athay, was not returned. The EPA hopes its Web site will help them track down Baggett and the others on the list. There's a page where you can report someone on this if you might know where they are.
Anyone with information regarding this fugitive should contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division-Salt Lake City, Utah office at (801)524-5173 or completeTHIS FORM.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
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