U.S. Department
of Justice
Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section
Section Overview
AUSAs in the Environmental and Community Crimes Section handle a wide variety of environmental crime cases, including pollution by ocean going cruise vessels, underground fuel storage tank leaks, smuggling and distribution of ozone-depleting substances (CFCs and/or refrigerants) in violation of the federal Clean Air Act, unlawful transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes, destruction and removal of Native American artifacts and native plants on federal lands, and the smuggling of endangered species. AUSAs in the section participate in community outreach efforts to encourage the reporting of environmental violations. Members of the section also regularly provide training to agents and staff a variety of working groups and task forces.
Leadership
Mark Williams
Mark Williams has been the Environmental & Community Safety Crimes Deputy Chief since 2013. He joined the office in January 2008 and has served as a Deputy Chief in the General Crimes Section. Mr. Williams has handled a variety of significant criminal cases including a $10 million dollar counterfeit currency case, the prosecution of Chipotle Mexican Grill for causing foodborne illnesses across the country, the prosecution of Monsanto Company for illegally applying pesticides in Hawaii, the 34-fatality Conception dive boat fire case, antiquities smuggling and art fraud cases, international wildlife trafficking cases, and trials involving narcotics, firearms, toxic hazardous waste, and sexual predators.
Mr. Williams graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Political Science and received his J.D. with honors from Loyola Law School. While in law school, he worked as an extern in the Criminal Division. After law school, he joined Keesal, Young, and Logan where he handled securities litigation and admiralty matters, including the first federal admiralty trial before the Honorable Judge Guilford.
Recent Cases
October 18, 2022
Press Release
Federal Grand Jury Issues New Indictment in Conception Boat Fire
October 5, 2022
Press Release
Texas Woman and Riverside County Man Charged with Illegally Transporting and Selling Live Jaguar Cub that Later Was Abandoned
August 29, 2022
Press Release
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining and Selling Three Tom Brady Super Bowl Rings
August 26, 2022
Press Release
Three Companies Agree to Plead Guilty to Federal Offense and Pay Nearly $13 Million in Federal Fines and Response Costs for Offshore Oil Spill
August 24, 2022
Press Release
Oxnard Man Pleads Guilty to Wildlife Smuggling and Trafficking Charges for Illegally Importing More Than 1,700 Animals into U.S.
Section Contact Information
The United States Attorney's Office
Central District of California
Criminal Division
Attn: Environmental Crimes Section
312 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, California 90012