WOODRUFF, Utah — Two men are facing felony charges after allegedly dumping toxic wastewater into a pond near Woodruff, Utah, on multiple occasions. The wastewater, which came from an oilfield near Bear River near the Wyoming/Utah state line, was supposed to be transported to a proper disposal facility more than 100 miles away in LaBarge.

Instead, according to investigators, 37-year-old Braden Cornia of Woodruff, Utah, and 47-year-old Jeremy Oliver of Evanston — contractors hired for the disposal — illegally dumped the waste into a small pond just 13 miles from the oilfield.

“The sheer quantity of the pollution was beyond anything I’ve ever seen as an investigator,” said Special Agent Brent Kasza of the Utah Trust Lands Administration in a press release.

Kasza stated that the contractors were “pocketing the money provided for their expenses.”

“I was able to uncover that the suspects were dumping the toxic water in Utah, a much shorter distance than what they had been hired to do,” Kasza said in the release.   

Utah Trust Lands Administration Director of Communications Marla Kennedy issued a press release stating that reports requested by law enforcement found the wastewater being dumped in Rich County likely contained a mixture of hydrocarbons, including oil, hydraulic fluid, grease, sand, mud, and other contaminants commonly found in wastewater produced during the oil drilling and production process.

The toxic wastewater caused visible damage to the pond and surrounding area. On his first visit to the site, Kasza noted a “strong chemical smell” and observed that plants around the pond “had turned black and died.”

The release stated that investigators concluded the company that hired the contractors was unaware of the dumping with “no knowledge of the corners being cut” and has not been charged. The state agency said it is not naming the company because it is not being held responsible in the case.

“Discharging pollutants near a small, rural town in Utah is unconscionable,” said Michelle E. McConkie, director of the Trust Lands Administration.

“This illegal activity appears to have caused damage to the immediate environment and also has the potential to cause harm to the local community,” McConkie said. 

The Trust Lands Administration said it received a tip about the illegal dumping in February 2024, prompting an investigation by Special Agent Kasza and Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey. Further investigation confirmed that the dumping occurred on multiple occasions, officials said.

The case, filed by Rich County Chief Criminal Deputy Attorney James Swink, includes four third-degree felony counts each of unlawful discharge of pollutants.

Oliver appeared for an initial hearing in Rich County Justice Court on April 22 without legal representation. Judge Angela Fonnesbeck informed Oliver of the charges and the possible penalties, including up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Fonnesbeck also reminded Oliver of his right to legal counsel, to which he replied that he planned to be represented by an attorney. The court set his next appearance for July 8.

Cornia is scheduled to appear on May 13.