DETROIT, MI — The efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Customs Service have resulted in a guilty plea from a Michigan man accused of CFC violations.

James M. Dolmetsch pleaded guilty in March 2002 to conspiracy to smuggle CFC refrigerant into the U.S. from Canada in 1996.

Dolmetsch — who was reportedly involved with at least three other individuals — admitted to brokering the sale of the smuggled refrigerant to purchasers in the U.S. He also admitted that the conspiracy successfully smuggled and resold 63,600 lb of CFC-12. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit.

Publication date: 04/15/2002