Texas Man Sentenced To Probation For Forging Pesticide Applicator Licenses And Insurance Certificates

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Gallagher, age 73, of Crowley, Texas, was sentenced on December 14, 2023, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to two years of probation, following his convictions for committing mail fraud.  In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mariani emphasized Gallagher’s age and significant health complications.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gallagher, a former resident of Pennsylvania, owned and operated J. Douglas Environmental Systems, a fumigation and pest control company.  Gallagher altered his and his employee’s expired pesticide applicator certifications, and an expired business license, and forged insurance policy certificates, associated with his work as a licensed applicator for pesticides restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies.  Gallagher provided the altered and forged documents to a pesticide supplier in Virginia, to various clients in Pennsylvania and New York, and to those clients’ auditors.  As a result, his business secured over $888,000 worth of contracts through use of the falsified documents.

“The defendant’s decision to illegally portray himself as a trained and licensed commercial pesticide applicator, and his failure to properly inform his customers of the health hazards of a restricted use pesticide, resulted in presenting inexcusable health risks to the public,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Allison Landsman of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Pennsylvania.  “EPA is committed to protecting the health of our communities and holding people criminally responsible for such egregious actions.”

The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.

# # #