Fines levied in September 2012 oil spill: There was disposition April 15 in Greene County district court in a case that grabbed headlines across the region 18 months ago. Financial judgments and a suspended jail sentence were entered against Kurt Krieger, 54, of Jefferson, after he pleaded guilty to negligent discharge of a pollutant, a serious misdemeanor. The charge stems from an oil leak Sept. 12, 2012, that originated at a tank used to store waste oil at Krieger’s Greenhouse on the west edge of Jefferson. The oil went down a ravine and into the North Raccoon River, requiring a clean-up of several miles of the river.
A document filed April 10 says the incident in question took place at a time when several reports were made to the Jefferson police department of criminal mischief associated with the Jefferson-Scranton homecoming. Krieger found a hand-operated release valve on a waste oil tank was open, and he saw waste oil on the ground pooling and mixing with rain water. The rain water was draining downward and eastward in the yard and a timbered gulch that leads to a drainage ditch and ultimately to the North Raccoon River. Krieger shut the valve, constructed a peat moss berm on the driveway to contain additional oil, and left the property without notifying authorities.
According to Iowa Administrative Code, Krieger was obliged to notify the Iowa Department of Natural Resources of the spill within six hours of discovery. He failed to do so.
Krieger was sentenced to 365 days in jail. The jail term was suspended and he was placed on probation for two years. He was fined $11,100 with a $3,885 surcharge. He must pay $11,450 to the Iowa Attorney General’s environmental crimes and prosecution fund and $33,610 restitution to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for clean-up. Court costs were $100. (Sentencing: Honorable Adria A. Kester)
In other district court cases: Amanda Rae Rohan, 31, of Jefferson was sentenced April 11 after she changed her plea to guilty to a charge of driving while license barred. She was sentenced to two years in prison. The prison term was suspended and she was placed on informal probation for two years The minimum fine and surcharge were suspended. She must pay $60 for her court appointed attorney’s fees and $100 court costs. (Sentencing: Kester)
Jarrett Long, 23, of Grand Junction was sentenced April 11 after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of assault-serious. He was sentenced to 365 days in jail. The jail time was suspended and he was placed on probation for one year. He was fined $315 with a $110.25 surcharge. he must pay $60 restitution for his court appointed attorney’s fees and $140 court costs. Charges of willful injury, assault-aggravated and trespass-serious were dismissed. (Sentencing: Kester)
Persons pleaded not guilty as follows: Tobi Ann Baker, 45, of Jefferson, theft-second degree and operating a vehicle without owner’s consent; and Thomas James Petrzilka, 29, of Scranton, criminal mischief-second degree. Trial dates were set for June 24 in both cases.
Cases were initiated in Greene county district court as follows: Jarrett Long, 23, of Grand Junction, assault causing bodily injury; Justice Marie Charles, 19, of Churdan, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury; and Kenneth D. Hostetler, 49, of Jefferson, operating while intoxicated-first offense.
