The mayor Pro Tem of California City has been arrested on federal charges.

The Justice Department says Michael Kulikoff is accused of moving a mercury-contaminated SUV to hide it from emergency crews.

Someone had allegedly spilled a glass jar containing mercury inside the vehicle at Kulikoff’s car wash in February.

Prosecutors say Kulikoff conspired to move the SUV outside city limits.

Officials say the vehicle had mercury levels twenty times the legal limit.

Kulikoff faces up to fifteen years in prison and heavy fines if he’s convicted.