David Sump Sentenced to Maximum Term in Smith Canal Oil Spill Case

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that defendant David Sump has been sentenced to the maximum term of six years in state prison for his role in the Smith Canal oil spill.

The Honorable Judge Villapudua imposed the sentence, which consisted of the upper term of three years, doubled to six years due to the defendant’s prior strike conviction. Sump will serve his sentence in a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility. 

In addition to the prison term, the Court ordered significant restitution for the environmental damage caused by the spill. Restitution was set at $52,675.94 to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and $41,441.18 to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. During sentencing, Judge Villapudua emphasized the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct, noting the lasting harm caused to the Smith Canal and the broader Delta region, an area that so many in the community depend on for their livelihood.

“The defendant’s actions showed a blatant disregard for the environment and for the people whose livelihoods depend on the Delta. This was preventable, and the damage was significant. A maximum sentence was not only appropriate—it was necessary to underscore that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated in San Joaquin County,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas.

The District Attorney’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to California Department of Fish & Wild Life Warden Ryan Rodriguez for his dedicated investigation and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and Stockton Police Department for their support. We also thank the CDFW Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), the US Coast Guard, CA EPA, US EPA, and the Stockton Fire Department. Their rapid intervention was crucial in recovering 225 gallons of oil and preventing the spill from reaching the San Joaquin River.