San Diego
A truck driver from the Mexican state oil monopoly PEMEX was sentenced Thursday to the 19 days already spent in jail for dumping oily wastes 200 feet within the U.S. border.
Francisco Lujan Macias, 27, was placed on two years’ probation and ordered to pay a $25 penalty assessment fee by U.S. District Court Magistrate Barry Moskowitz.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Steve Crandall said the wastes found in an isolated area 20 miles west of Calexico did not contain hazardous wastes. Nevertheless, he asked for a $500 fine.
“The behavior of Mr. Lujan was certainly reckless,” said Crandall.
Moskowitz rejected the amount of the fine, saying that $500 represents 25% of Lujan’s annual pay with PEMEX.
“It appears to me he’s paid a price of 19 days in jail. He has been punished,” the magistrate said.
Lujan pleaded guilty Dec. 4 to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized dumping of petroleum products on federal property in November. He could have received a one-year term.
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