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Larry Gross, 46, of Waldorf, pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of unlawfully discharging oil, specifically diesel fuel, officials say.
"Illegally dumping thousands of gallons of diesel fuel is an irresponsible act that jeopardizes public health," Attorney General Anthony Brown stated. "Toxins from this fuel can harm our waterways, contaminate our soil, and endanger our health."
The investigation revealed that in October 2023, Gross, operating as the principal of H&M Truckin, LLC, and a contract employee of M Pittman Enterprises, picked up approximately 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel from the Motiva fuel terminal in Baltimore City.
After delivering 2,159 gallons to a depot in Elkridge, he had about 5,342 gallons remaining, officials said.
Instead of properly disposing of the excess fuel, Gross allegedly illegally discharged it at three locations in Anne Arundel County during the early hours of Oct. 4, 2023.
Surveillance footage and dash camera videos captured Gross dumping diesel fuel on the shoulder of Route 10 in Brooklyn Park and along Digiulian Boulevard in Glen Burnie.
Dash camera footage showed diesel fuel running down the back of the truck toward the front of the truck, then flowing down the roadway.
Gross was then caught on camera driving directly through the discharged after turning the tanker truck around in a cul-de-sac and leaving the area.
The discharged fuel flowed into storm drains, contaminating local waterways and sediment ponds, according to prosecutors.
Soil samples taken from various locations along both Digiulian Boulevard and Route 10 tested positive for pollutants such as petroleum bases hydrocarbons and diesel range organics.
The Maryland Department of the Environment's Emergency Response Division responded to the incidents, confirming the environmental impact of the illegal discharges.
"Our Office will take action against truck drivers who risk Marylanders’ safety in order to make a profit," Brown emphasized. "Truck drivers who handle fuel must comply with Maryland’s laws and dispose of it properly."
Gross was sentenced to one year in jail, with all but 60 days suspended, to be served at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center.
Additionally, Gross was fined $10,000, payable to the Maryland Oil Disaster Containment, Clean Up, and Contingency Fund, and placed on five years of supervised probation.
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