Michel Osei, 48, of Hanover, Maryland, was sentenced for environmental crimes related to the illegal dumping and abandonment of over 250,000 scrap tires at a site in Allegany County, Maryland. Osei pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including unlawful disposal for gain, operating an unlicensed scrap tire facility, and improper handling of waste, all of which contributed to a significant environmental hazard.
On October 16, 2024, Osei appeared before Judge Jeffery S. Getty of the Circuit Court for Allegany County and was sentenced to five years of incarceration, with all but 45 days suspended. In addition, Osei was sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to the Allegany County Commissioners, and fined $300,000 to the Maryland Clean Water Fund, both of which are also suspended.
Background of the Case
The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit (ENRCU), the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, began in 2021 after Osei proposed the establishment of a scrap tire recycling facility in Allegany County. Osei promised that the facility would employ up to 50 people and generate millions of dollars in contracts for recycling tires overseas. Based on these claims, Allegany County leased Osei an industrial parcel in Westernport, MD, located near the Potomac River.
Osei began operations in July 2021, collecting over 100,000 scrap tires from West Virginia and bringing them to the Westernport site. However, the tires were left largely unprocessed, and Osei’s operations quickly became unregulated and unsafe.
Environmental Hazards and Violations
On October 7, 2021, MDE inspectors discovered an unlicensed operation and documented approximately 10,000-15,000 scrap tires at the site. The tires were stored outside in uncovered piles, creating a significant fire risk. Despite repeated orders from MDE and the Maryland State Fire Marshal to cease operations, Osei continued to ignore regulations, ultimately abandoning the site in September 2022. By that time, more than 250,000 scrap tires were scattered across the property and packed into tractor-trailer containers.
Scrap tires, which can no longer be used for their intended purpose, are regulated under Maryland law due to the significant health and environmental risks they pose. Improper storage and disposal can lead to water contamination, hazardous air quality, and the breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes. These tires must be handled by licensed haulers and stored only at licensed facilities that meet strict environmental and safety standards.
Legal and Regulatory Consequences
Osei’s illegal activities were in direct violation of Maryland’s environmental protection laws, which govern the transportation, storage, and recycling of scrap tires. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) enforces strict licensing procedures to ensure the safe and legal handling of these materials. Under these regulations, scrap tire facilities must be licensed based on the scale of operations, with larger facilities subject to more rigorous approval processes.
Attorney General Brown expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the various agencies involved in the case, including the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, Allegany County Government, and the State’s Attorney’s Office for Allegany County. He commended the efforts of his office’s Criminal Division and the Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit for their dedication to protecting public health and the environment.
“Today’s sentencing highlights the serious consequences of illegal waste disposal and the importance of upholding environmental regulations to protect our communities,” said Attorney General Brown. “We remain committed to holding individuals accountable for actions that endanger public health, the environment, and the safety of our communities.”
