U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has sentenced Idrissa Bagayoko, a New York business owner, to supervised release for a year, which includes three months of home confinement, for illegal activities involving a toxic pesticide. Bagayoko, 59, was also ordered to pay $5,640 in restitution.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, announced the sentencing alongside notable figures including the EPA's Special Agent in Charge Allison Landsman, DOT-OIG Mid-Atlantic Region Special Agent Greg Thompson, and Chief Carolyn Rogers of Elkton Police Department.
In a trial held in November 2024, Bagayoko was found guilty of transporting and selling SNIPER DDVP, an unregistered pesticide containing the chemical dichlorvos, which is classified as a probable human carcinogen. Convictions were made under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Hazardous Material Transportation Act.
Evidence revealed Bagayoko transported more than 330 pounds of dichlorvos, a hazardous material requiring special documentation, without proper shipping papers. This unregistered pesticide was sold to a distributor in Takoma Park, Maryland, posing a public health risk.
“Illegally transporting and selling an illegal pesticide that is a known probable carcinogen puts public health at serious risk,” Hayes stated, emphasizing the commitment to enforce federal laws.
Landsman highlighted the severity of Bagayoko's actions, noting the defendant's deceit in claiming he was ''only transporting tea" to local police. Thompson commented on the illegality of reckless transportation of hazardous materials without proper documentation.
The investigation, prosecuted by a team including Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Phillips and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kertisha Dixon and David Lastra, received commendations from Hayes for the assistance of the EPA, DOT-OIG, and EPD.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland is available on their website.