SATICOY : Bail Raised in Case Against Plant Owner
The former owner of a Saticoy chemical plant that burned in 1989, forcing the evacuation of 1,500 people, was taken into custody Monday after his bail was raised to $50,000 and his passport confiscated.
Benjamin Lynn Adams, 43, had been free on $20,000 bail pending charges of illegal disposal of hazardous waste, reckless storage of toxic materials and misdemeanor public nuisance in connection with the chemical plant fire, Assistant Dist. Atty. Marcia Strickland said.
Adams asked that his bail be kept low so that he could travel to the Philippines, where he has business obligations, Strickland said.
But Municipal Judge Kenneth W. Riley raised Adams’ bail and took away his passport at the request of prosecutors who wanted him restricted from international travel.
“We have no extradition treaty with the Philippines,” Strickland said. “If he goes there, we can’t get him back.”
Adams was arrested in Newbury Park at his parents’ home on Sept. 15, more than two years after the fire at the Pacific Intermediates plant. He had been living in the Philippines, Strickland said.
Adams was released on the new bail Monday evening and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges today.
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