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City Manager and City Supervisor to Report to Prison

Release Date: 02/05/2009
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Anthony Suttice at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – February 5, 2009) Elk City, Oklahoma, City Manager Guy R. Hylton, Jr. and Elk City Supervisor Chick Arthur Little, convicted of violations of the federal Clean Air Act, will serve their sentences at the Federal Prison Camp in Big Spring, Texas.

The two were originally indicted by a federal grand jury on December 19, 2006, for using Elk City inmates to renovate the Rock Island Railroad Depot in Elk City without providing respiratory protection, protective clothing, or taking other required measures used for the removal of asbestos. Asbestos causes a wide range of illnesses, including various forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a usually fatal lung disease.

Following a trial, a jury in Oklahoma City found each man guilty of negligent endangerment by allowing the release of asbestos in a way that created a danger of death or serious bodily injury to the inmates who were working for the city as part of a work-release program. Little was additionally convicted of felony false statements related to lying to investigators conducting the criminal investigation which led to his indictment.

Last January, United States District Judge Joe Heaton ordered Hylton to serve six months in federal prison and pay a $15,000 fine. Judge Heaton ordered Little to serve eight months in federal prison, serve two years of supervised release upon release from prison and perform 104 hours of community service in lieu of a fine.

“EPA will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s environmental laws through a strong enforcement program,” said EPA Special Agent in Charge Warren Amburn. “We must hold those accountable who endanger others and lie to federal officials to cover up their misconduct.”

Both men appealed their convictions to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and learned this week the court issued orders and judgments affirming their convictions and sentences. As a result of the failed appeal and his looming prison sentence, Guy Hylton resigned as Elk City’s Manager effective February 16, 2009.

Chick Arthur Little has been ordered to report to the Federal Prison Camp in Big Spring on Friday, February 20, 2009, and Guy Hylton has been ordered to report to the same facility on Friday, March 6, 2009.

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available for 30 days at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio020509_elkcity