A Neosho company pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to violating federal statutes that regulate the sale and distribution of pesticides, according to a news release from John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Greenleaf, L.L.C., which operated a facility at 13960 Palm Road in Neosho, entered a corporate plea Wednesday afternoon.

Under the terms of the agreement, Greenleaf has agreed to pay $200,000, which is the maximum fine that can be assessed for violating the federal statute.

Greenleaf received large amounts of pesticides, rodenticides and other products from a Wal-Mart distribution center in Arkansas, which received them from every other Wal-Mart store across the country from January 2007 until January 2008.

By pleading guilty, Greenleaf admitted that the firm distributed and sold a large number of the pesticides and rodenticide products after removing or defacing the labeling on the package. The amount of pesticides distributed in this fashion exceeded 2 million pounds.

"Altering the label increases the chance that pesticides may be used improperly, creating a risk to the public and the environment," said Michael Burnett, Special Agent in Charge of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas City. "Today's criminal plea sends a clear message that we will pursue those who disregard environmental laws."