By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – A fireworks manufacturer and three of its officers pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges in a coverup of three explosions that killed two workers at a Jefferson County plant.
Pyro Products Incorporated of Dittmer, through its vice president, Gerry Walker, admitted illegally transporting hazardous wastes.
Ronald and Kim Walker, both now living in Columbus, Montana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to conceal the illegal transportation of hazardous wastes and storage of explosives.
Pyro also agreed to pay a $70,000 fine and to terminate its operating license as an explosives manufacturer.
Each defendant faces a maximum of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
Two people were killed and five were injured in blasts at Pyro in November, 1999, September 2000, and June 2001.