Mike Materna is facing a possible prison sentence because he reportedly released hot water discharge into a ditch near his mint distillery, and that has many people “hopping mad.”
State Representative Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte) is one of the people who is outspoken in his feelings about this possibility. Dermody said, (and I quote),
“To be honest with you this scares me to death. This is nothing more than a rampaging federal government.”
According to an article in the Farmer’s Exchange on June 6th, Materna and his lawyer, John Lloyd, appeared in District Court in South Bend where he pled guilty to one count of violating the federal Clean Water Act.
Charges against Materna came about last summer after a neighbor claimed that hot water being discharged into a ditch scalded his dog to death. According to the article, that accusation has never been proven.
Materna faces a three year prison sentence, and a $250,000 fine. He’s been released on a $50,000 bond, and sentencing is scheduled for September 1st. Read the entire article by clicking here.
