Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced this past week that criminal charges have been filed following an extensive investigation into a chemical explosion and fire that occurred nearly a year ago at Gilton’s Resource Recovery Facility in Modesto.
On March 27, 2025, an explosion occurred when 55-gallon drums alleged to be filled with hazardous waste originating from Advanced Materials Manufacturing Technologies, LLC (AM2T) located in Riverbank were offloaded at the Gilton facility. Gilton employees who were near the drums when they initially caught fire and exploded were unaware that they contained highly flammable powdered magnesium and aluminum. One Gilton worker suffered minor injuries in the initial explosion.
Firefighters attempting to extinguish the fire were put in significant danger when the powdered magnesium and aluminum reacted with water to produce flammable hydrogen gas. This chemical reaction intensified the fire and caused a secondary explosion. None of the firefighters who attempted to suppress the flames were injured. The fire was ultimately extinguished using heavy equipment to cover it with dirt. A Modesto Fire Department hazardous materials team then assisted with the clean-up and rendered the area safe for employees.
During the subsequent investigation into the incident, investigators with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at AM2T’s defunct facility and discovered additional hazardous waste stored in 55-gallon drums.
AM2T owner Henry Meeks and AM2T manager Phillip Whitmore are alleged to have facilitated the illegal dumping of the dangerous materials. Meeks and Whitmore have been charged with illegal storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. Phillip Whitmore was arrested and booked into jail by investigators with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. An arrest warrant in the amount of $120k has been issued for Meeks.
This investigation was conducted by the Stanislaus County Environmental Crimes Task Force, a collaborative initiative between the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, hazardous materials specialists from the Stanislaus County Environmental Resources Department and the Modesto Fire Department. Investigators with the Bureau of Investigation have received specialized training and equipment to conduct these technical investigations that require an understanding of hazardous substances and often place them in toxic environments while investigating these crimes.
The task force was started up by District Attorney Laugero and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The purpose of this task force is to investigate and prosecute major environmental crimes that substantially affect the safety and health of the public or cause major damage to our environment. All other environmental incidents are referred to the Stanislaus County Environmental Resources Department.
“The District Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes,” said Laugero. “These violators endanger public health and threaten community safety. We will pursue every appropriate legal action to ensure that those who put the public in danger are held accountable.”
