FDEP Press Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2008
CONTACT: Amy Graham, (850) 245-2112 or (850) 778-7258
DEP Agents Investigate Commercial Dumping Case
-Four Manatee County residents arrested-
MANATEE COUNTY- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law enforcement agents recently arrested four Manatee County residents for commercial dumping in an unpermitted landfill. Peter Hunsader of P&J Landclearing, Lucas Davis of Olive Branch Tree Service, James Debona of Westside Tree Service and Casey Shoots of C&S Lawn were charged with commercial dumping, a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Hunsader, the landfill operator, was also charged with an unpermitted landfill and open burning. Both violations are first degree misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000,
“Approximately three acres of Hunsader’s 25 acres of land has been used for an unpermitted landfill, which resulted in a profitable illegal business that is detrimental to our environment,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. “Thanks to a complaint from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, DEP law enforcement agents were able to solve this crime quickly and efficiently.”
DEP law enforcement officials were alerted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) of what they believed to be an illegal landfill in Myakka City. DACS agents, the Division of Forestry and the Myakka City Fire Department had been to this location numerous times before for illegal fires which threatened nearby residences. Hunsader gave Davis, Debona and Shoots permission to dispose of waste on his property which he later burned in exchange for money, borrowing of equipment or business referrals. Hunsader did not have a permit to operate a landfill and has never applied for one; Olive Branch Tree Service has a previous $8,000 outstanding balance with the local permitted waste disposal facility in Manatee County. DEP law enforcement agents arrested all four subjects on June 6, 2008.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental law enforcement, providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that can threaten the environment.
To report environmental crime, wireless customers can now dial #DEP. Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed to DEP district offices during business hours.
For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.
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