Oilfield Supervisors Sentenced for Illegal Dumping on Wyoming Lands

A court case in Wyoming has raised concerns about how the justice system handles environmental crimes. In August 2025, two oilfield supervisors, Darwin Crawford and Mark Orchard, were sentenced for their role in an illegal dumping scheme that caused lasting damage to federal lands.

According to the Department of Justice, the men instructed their crew to dispose of about 10 barrels of oilfield waste at a Bureau of Land Management facility in 2018. Investigations later revealed that the dumping had contaminated the soil with petroleum hydrocarbons at levels as high as 15,200 parts per million, far exceeding the 18 ppm found in uncontaminated areas.

The supervisors were sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $28,330 in restitution. While their employer, Crowheart Energy, cooperated with authorities and cleaned up the site, the DOJ emphasized that the illegal dumping had threatened the nesting habitat of species like the greater sage grouse.

This case highlights the lasting consequences of environmental crimes and the importance of strong safeguards to protect public lands. By holding polluters accountable and supporting robust environmental protections, individuals can help prevent similar incidents and work towards a cleaner, safer future.