COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to
violating the Clean Air Act by releasing a refrigerant into the air
during the theft of dozens of air conditioning units.
Federal
prosecutors say Martin Eldridge and others stole at least 49 units
between August and October last year, releasing the refrigerant when
tubing that connected units to houses and businesses was cut.
The
35-year-old Columbus man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one
count of knowingly venting the refrigerant HCFC-22 into the environment.
That refrigerant is sold under trade names including Freon.
Eldridge will serve 31 months in prison under terms of the plea. His attorney declined to comment.
Eldridge
pleaded guilty to related state charges of theft, failure to appear and
drug possession in April. Sentencing is scheduled for August.