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8/20/2026
WT Staff
 Knowledge of an environmental crime? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email info@wtny.us
Aug 20, 2026 402 pm EDT
CrimeBox
Historic Conviction Fiscal Year 2014; Case ID# CR_2591 (Nebraska)
Sworn affidavits prove false - confined animal feedlot operator convicted for dumping manure in Mud Creek
The Defendant in this case is a limited liability corporation finishing beef cattle, operating a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO). The owner/managers responsible plead guilty to a single misdemeanor charge, a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) impacting a tributary of the Platte River near the village of Overton, in Dawson County.
The bill of information before the court notes four separate incidents of untreated livestock waste materials discharged to Mud Creek, a tributary of the Platte River. Though no fish kill occurred, and no clean up cost was incurred, when investigators questioned the feedlot manager, false statements were sworn via affidavit, that no discharge of liquid or solid animal waste had occurred from the site.
The investigation concluded with sufficient evidence of negligence in the release of untreated waste, with a single charge, criminal violation of the CWA Section 33, along with offering false statements. A civil penalty was applied in a separate action. Honorable Richard G. Kopf, Senior Judge presiding over Federal District Court in Lincoln, Nebraska sentenced the feedlot to a federal fine and three years of probation. The probationary period includes supervision by the US Environmental Protection Agency to ensure compliance with an environmental action plan.
According to the Platte River Program organization,
"The waters of the Platte River serve the people of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska in many ways. Federal and non-federal water projects in the Platte River Basin include 15 major dams providing municipal and industrial water supplies for about 5 million people, irrigate 3.5 million acres of farmland, and generate tens of millions of dollars of renewable hydroelectric power. These projects also provide flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat."
Federal Fines: $20,000; Probation: 36 months; Civil penalty: $38,911
See last week's CrimeBox here, "Highly toxic effluent released from Hays wastewater plant, the plant Superintendant convicted of CWA violation"
CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.
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