Anderson Man sentenced for releasing Asbestos

An Anderson man will spend 41 months in prison for knowingly endangering others by releasing asbestos. U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles announces that U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced 37-year-old Scott William Farmer this week in federal court. Upon his release, Farmer must adhere to three years supervised release. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that between November 2012 and April 2013, Farmer demolished portions of Haynsworth Mill in order to sell scrap metal. The materials in the building contained hazardous levels of asbestos. Farmer was repeatedly warned by DHEC to stop the demolition because of the danger. Farmer continued tearing down the building and failed to take required precautions to safeguard his workers, individuals to whom he sold the metal from the Mill, and the public. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems and in some cases may prove fatal.