DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division @DOJEnvironment

Court Clears Way for Energy Development in Gulf of America “The Endangered Species Committee’s exemption reflects a judgment at the highest levels of government that producing American energy in the Gulf of America is essential to our national security,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Today’s decision clears away litigation that threatened development in the Gulf, in furtherance of President Donald J. Trump’s directive to unleash American energy.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/court-c…

A North Carolina man was sentenced today to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release in connection with his involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. Robert Craig, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty on June 25, 2025, to conspiring to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/north-c…

Chemours Agrees to $450M Landmark Settlement Agreement for Releases of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey: Settlement Includes $22.5M Civil Penalty and $90M in Funding for Programs to Control PFAS Discharges and Remove PFAS from Drinking Water “This landmark settlement shows the Administration’s commitment to protecting the public from harmful pollution,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Through this commitment, Chemours will better control PFAS at its plants, allowing the company to continue its manufacturing operations while protecting communities in North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey from PFAS exposure. This agreement ensures that the company will manufacture these critical materials in a responsible manner.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/chemour…

“The Department of Justice will not sit idly by while private organizations use environmental laws to undermine our national security,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of ENRD. “This case reflects the important work of the Environment and Natural Resources Division to unleash American energy for the sake of innovation and security.”

Justice Department Files to Intervene and Dismiss Lawsuit that Would Hamper America’s AI Innovation and Security “Ultimate responsibility for enforcing federal law belongs to the Executive Branch, not private interest groups,” said @ASGWoodward. “The Department of Justice is committed to maintaining that constitutional order while protecting national security and promoting American energy and innovation.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

Justice Department Files to Transfer 45,000 Acres from Arizona to Hopi Tribe: Filing is Second in a Series of Filings to Ultimately Bring Over 270,000 Acres of Land Into United Ownership to Benefit the Tribe “Today’s filing is another example of the executive branch faithfully carrying out the laws that Congress enacted,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

“Applied Partners knowingly disregarded asbestos work practice standards designed to protect human health,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that public health is among our highest priorities, and we will prosecute those who violate environmental laws.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/company…

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati today to conspiring to create and distribute “animal crush” videos through his active participation in certain online groups. The videos depicted extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsyl…

Justice Department Leads Counter-Timber Trafficking Workshop in Gabon “The United States has a strong commercial interest in addressing illegal timber in global supply chains and preventing illegal wood products from entering the U.S. market in violation of the Lacey Act. Illegally imported wood undercuts our domestic producers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Cooperation with our foreign trading partners enhances our collective ability to interdict the trade of illegal timber while supporting legitimate commerce.” Read more about the workshop: justice.gov/opa/blog/justi…

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“Antimony is among the minerals most vital to our national defense, and for too long the United States has relied on foreign adversaries to supply it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “This decision allows construction to move forward on the most significant domestic source of antimony, and it reflects the Department’s commitment to defending projects critical to America’s national security.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

“The Environment and Natural Resources Division is successfully combating efforts to weaponize procedural statutes against the responsible use of America’s vast natural resources. The District Court rightly held that the Forest Service’s assessment of environmental effects for a forest can apply to a particular project within that forest.” -Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

Florida Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Biofuel Fraud Conspiracy: Defendant Also Ordered to Pay More than $2.8 Million in Restitution 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/florida…

A California man was sentenced yesterday to 65 months in prison for smuggling at least 1,700 reptiles into the United States from Mexico, Hong Kong, and elsewhere over a six-year period. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/califor…

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“The production and distribution of obscene animal crush videos is a felony,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “In passing the Animal Crushing statute, Congress recognized that cruelty to animals desensitizes participants to the suffering of human beings. This sentence is a warning to all future would-be creators and consumers of animal crushing that they risk federal prosecution and imprisonment for these crimes.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/miami-a…

Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Dog Fighting and Drug Distribution justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-ma…

Former Managers of Waste Pre-Treatment Facility Plead Guilty to Illegally Discharging Waste into Nashville Sewer System “The defendants repeatedly and intentionally violated the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated wastes into the Nashville sewer system,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “This prosecution sends the message that those who purposely undermine federal environmental laws and endanger public infrastructure will face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/former-…

Challenge Dropped to Air Force’s Fighter Jet Training Operations in Eastern Oregon justice.gov/opa/pr/challen…

California Man Arrested for Violating Lacey Act for Plot to Illegally Export Trafficked Turtles justice.gov/opa/pr/califor…

ICYMI: Yesterday, U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for @USAO_MD and head of ENRD Adam Gustafson announced the indictment of Foreign Operators and Technical Superintendent of M/V Dali for their roles in the vessel crash that knocked down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland and caused the death of six construction workers. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/foreign…

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Sunseeker International Limited and Sunseeker USA Sales Co. Inc. (Sunseeker) pleaded guilty this week to two violations of the Lacey Act for using illegally obtained Burmese Teak on yachts that it imported into the United States. "Timber trafficking is the third most lucrative form of transnational crime, so enforcing the law keeps money from flowing into criminal enterprises.” -Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/luxury-…