FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	ENR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1998                                                                                               (202) 514-2008

                                                                                                                                                       TDD (202) 514-1888










TWO TENNESSEE MEN ARRESTED THIS MORNING ON CHARGES


THEY SPRAYED HOMES WITH TOXIC PESTICIDES








	 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal and Tennessee state agents today
arrested two men who were indicted by A Memphis grand jury
yesterday alleging they illegally sprayed dozens of Memphis homes
with highly toxic pesticides which may only be used for
agricultural purposes in uninhabited fields. 

	In a 42-count indictment, the grand jury alleged that Robert
E. Kelly, Jr. and his son, Robert E. Kelly, III, who operate an
exterminating business under the name Kelly Spraying Service,
applied the pesticides methyl parathion and malathion to the homes
of customers in the Memphis area.  They were arrested this morning
at their home in Memphis.  Methyl parathion is a restricted use
pesticide that may only be purchased by individuals trained in its
proper agricultural use.  It is a potent neurotoxin that can cause
headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, breathing difficulties,  coma, 
and death.  Malathion also is a neurotoxin which, like methyl parathion, 
may only be used outdoors.

	"The government will prosecute those who misuse these 
dangerous pesticides and endanger peoples lives," said Lois Schiffer, 
Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Justice Department's
Environment and Natural Resources Division.  

	The indictment alleges that Robert Kelly, Jr. bought the 
pesticides in Mississippi where he had obtained licenses allowing 
him to purchase potent agricultural pesticides.  The indictment
charges that between 1992 and 1996, Robert Kelly, Jr. purchased 
as at least 280 gallons of methyl parathion from various Mississippi 
agricultural cooperatives for use in his Memphis extermination
business.  The Kellys are alleged to have sprayed these toxic 
agricultural poisons in customers' homes without disclosing 
the nature and danger of the pesticides that they were applying.  

	The Kellys are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, 
February 18.  They face penalties of up to one year in jail and 
a fine of up to $100,000 for each count.

	An indictment represents charges brought by a grand 
jury and is not itself evidence.  The government has the burden 
of proving the charges at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

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