Macon, Ga.-A Moultrie, Ga., couple has pleaded guilty to violating the federal hazardous materials transportation law by transporting 19 shipments of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and Telone II pesticide between January and July 2009 using a trucking company under a federal out-of-service order, according to the Office of U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said Thomas and Cathy Watson admitted to transporting the hazardous materials using their TomCat Trucking Inc. of Doerun, Ga., which was under order from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and was administratively dissolved by the Georgia secretary of state after having received an unsatisfactory safety rating. Moore said the Watsons agreed to a sentencing condition banning them from applying for or holding any commercial motor carrier permit for the duration of their sentences. They each face a maximum penalty of up to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will be scheduled by U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson at a later date.
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