Texas Business Owner Sentenced After Releasing Hazardous Toxins into Air

Michael S. Callahan | | Environmental Claims
biohazard toxins

A North Texas man was sentenced after releasing hazardous substances in a 2nd offence.

Some people have to learn the hard way. Such was the case with Bill Musgrove, a precious metals recovery business owner in North Texas.

On Nov 18, 2016, William ‘Bill’ Lafon Musgrove, 61, was sentenced to three months of federal prison to be followed by three months of home confinement for releasing a hazardous substance into the air near Royse City and threatening the lives of others. The Quinlan, Texas (East of Dallas) man had previously pled guilty to a similar charge in August 2013.

Business Owner Guilty of Releasing Nitrous Oxides into Atmosphere

According to Herald Banner,

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest-Johnson reportedly imposed the sentence Tuesday after finding Musgrove had violated the conditions of his probation by returning to the metal recovery business without the proper equipment or a permit.

On June 21, 2013, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas filed an information charging Musgrove with the offense. Musgrove admitted that in June of 2011, as the vice president and operations manager of Industrial Precious Metals Recovery Incorporated (IPMR), in Royse City, Texas, he allowed their metal recovery process to release Nitrogen Oxides, or “NOx” into the ambient air at ground level, through an open doorway, instead of utilizing the company’s air scrubber which was broken at the time.  Musgrove admitted that he should have known that releasing NOx in that manner would place people in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, although no injuries occurred.

Because this was Musgrove’s 2nd offense, it required a stiffer consequence based on Judge Priest-Johnson’s sentencing. We agree with the judge that business owners should be held accountable for their careless actions. Those harmful nitrous oxides are now in the atmosphere and may have caused unnecessary injuries or environmental problems.

Checkout the process of recovering platinum and the harmful effects it may have on anyone near the salvage process:

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Next Steps For Those Suffering From Commercial Airborne Issues

We approve of Judge Priest-Johnson’s efforts to hold business owners like Musgrove responsible for their actions. But sometimes that’s not enough. When a business violates Federal laws and threatens unsuspecting people by their careless actions simply to line their pocket, that’s just wrong.

In these cases, our firm can help.

Our Houston-based personal injury law firm focuses on workplace accidents including those related to hazardous substances. We start preparing the case for trial from the moment we are retained, focusing on obtaining maximum compensation so you can return to a productive life as soon as possible.

If you or your family member has been affected by careless business related to a hazardous material, please contact us today for a free case evaluation.