Tag:

Environmental Crime

Virginia Hunter Gets 1 Day In Prison For Poisoning Bald Eagle, Beating Hawk: Feds Virginia Hunter Gets 1 Day In Prison For Poisoning Bald Eagle, Beating Hawk: Feds
Virginia Hunter Gets 1 Day In Prison For Poisoning Bald Eagle, Beating Hawk: Feds A Virginia man who admitted to poisoning a bald eagle and brutally bludgeoning a trapped hawk with a pole was sentenced to just one day in prison, according to court records. William Custis Smith, of Accomack County, confessed to federal agents that he used illegal pole traps and a banned insecticide to kill birds of prey that flew onto his Hallwood property — including a juvenile bald eagle, the nation’s symbol. The shocking discovery began in early 2023, when wildlife officials received an anonymous tip about a suspicious trap set up near a waterfowl impoundment, officials said. When age…
Ex-Fairfield Official Sentenced in Toxic Cover-Up That Contaminated Schools, Beaches Ex-Fairfield Official Sentenced in Toxic Cover-Up That Contaminated Schools, Beaches
Ex-Fairfield Official Sentenced in Toxic Cover-Up That Contaminated Schools, Beaches A former public works director for a Fairfield County Town was sentenced to six months in prison and five years probation after he admitted to illegally dumping hazardous materials on town property, authorities said.  Ex-Fairfield official Joseph Michelangelo, 63, pleaded guilty to multiple environmental crimes, including the illegal disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and asbestos, operating an unpermitted waste facility, and conspiracy to commit larceny and forgery, the State's Attorney's Office said.  Prosecutors say that between 2013 and 2020, he and others consp…
Beaver Blinded After Shot 14 Times Rescued From Susquehanna River Beaver Blinded After Shot 14 Times Rescued From Susquehanna River
Beaver Blinded After Shot 14 Times Rescued From Susquehanna River A severely injured beaver found weak, blind, and clinging to life in the Susquehanna River has captured the heart of the community, raising more than $5,000 in just 48 hours for his medical care, wildlife officials announced on Monday, Feb. 24. Rescued near Marietta, Lancaster County, on Jan. 24, the beaver was so frail that rescuers barely had to restrain him. But when veterinarians at Companion Animal Hospital examined him, they discovered the horrifying reason why—he had been shot 14 times in the face. BB-sized pellets were lodged in his skull and sinuses, shattering his left eye and lea…
Toxic Trio Convicted In HazMat Dumping Scheme Across Baltimore: Maryland AG Toxic Trio Convicted In HazMat Dumping Scheme Across Baltimore: Maryland AG
Toxic Trio Convicted In HazMat Dumping Scheme Across Baltimore: Maryland AG Three men have been convicted for illegally dumping hazardous chemicals across Baltimore, leaving leaking containers of toxic waste scattered in city streets, the Maryland Attorney General's Office announced. Anthony L. Simmons, 55, of Baltimore, Orlando D. Pagan, 39, of Elkridge, and Jeremy Scott Thompson, 33, of Baltimore, were found guilty of improperly disposing of controlled hazardous substances after a months-long investigation by state and local authorities. The case began in February 2023, when Baltimore City firefighters responded to two 911 calls and found multiple drums, bags, an…
From Recycling Dream to Environmental Nightmare: Maryland Man Gets Jail Time For Tire Dump: AG From Recycling Dream to Environmental Nightmare: Maryland Man Gets Jail Time For Tire Dump: AG
From Recycling Dream to Environmental Nightmare: Maryland Man Gets Jail Time For Tire Dump: AG A Maryland man is heading to jail after illegally dumping more than 250,000 scrap tires in Allegany County, leaving others to deal with the environmental fallout and cleanup efforts. Michel Osei, 48, of Hanover, pleaded guilty to 17 environmental crimes after abandoning a scrap tire operation in Westernport that investigators in Maryland say violated nearly every regulation on the books. The fallout resulted in Osei receiving five years of incarceration, with all but 45 days suspended, along with five years of probation.  Investigators from the Maryland Attorney's General's Office say…
PA Man Burning Plastic Christmas Wreathes At MD Cemetery Was 'Trying To Save The Earth' PA Man Burning Plastic Christmas Wreathes At MD Cemetery Was 'Trying To Save The Earth'
PA Man Burning Plastic Christmas Wreathes At MD Cemetery Was 'Trying To Save The Earth' A Pennsylvania man was arrested after authorities found him torching Christmas wreathes at a Maryland cemetery apparently because they weren't biodegradable and he was trying to save the planet, authorities said. Witnesses called 911 after spotting Peter J. Custer, 43, taking the plastic wreathes from three or more burial plots, placing them on an access road and lighting them on fire at the Cedar Lawn Memorial Park cemetery in Hagerstown around 1 a.m., the Maryland Fire Marshal said. Washington County Sheriff's Office, Maryland and the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded. Durin…
Marina Owner In Fairfield County Sentenced For Scuttling Abandoned Vessels Marina Owner In Fairfield County Sentenced For Scuttling Abandoned Vessels
Marina Owner In Fairfield County Sentenced For Scuttling Abandoned Vessels The owner of a Fairfield County marina will avoid time behind bars but was hit with a heavy fine as he was sentenced for abandoning boats in the Long Island Sound. John Magness, formerly of Southbury in New Haven County, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $45,000 fine for scuttling several sailboats and motorboats between Black Rock Harbor and the Pennfield Reef Lighthouse in the Long Island Sound. Magness, who now lives in Bristol, Maine, was the owner of the Bluefish Cove Marina in Bridgeport. Acting US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that while he was preparing to …
Officials: Increase In Vandalism, Littering At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Officials: Increase In Vandalism, Littering At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Officials: Increase In Vandalism, Littering At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area officials are seeing an increase in the number of illegal dumping and vandalism incidences throughout the park in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. A total of 13 incidents of vandalism have been reported at the park so far this year, which include breaking windows and doors, cutting locks, marking graffiti and causing other property damage — up from just two incidents during the same period last year, officials said in a Facebook post Thursday. Several incidents of household trash being dumped in the park, including furniture and building supplie…
Monroe Man, Brother Sentenced For Endangering Workers’ Lives Monroe Man, Brother Sentenced For Endangering Workers’ Lives
Monroe Man, Brother Sentenced For Endangering Workers’ Lives Two property owners in the area have been sentenced for their roles in the illegal and dangerous removal of asbestos in a building they were renovating. Brothers Klinton Rakaj, 39, of Monroe and Rezart Rakaj, 35, of Ansonia were sentenced to one year of probation, fined $9,500 and will have to complete 50 hours of community service after pleading guilty to one count of illegal asbestos removal in violation of the Clean Air Act last year. In November 2015, the brothers and another family member purchased a commercial property on Wallace Street in New Haven, U.S. Attorney John Durha…
Haverstraw Man Nabbed Illegally Dumping Black Top On Airmont Property Haverstraw Man Nabbed Illegally Dumping Black Top On Airmont Property
Haverstraw Man Nabbed Illegally Dumping Black Top On Airmont Property A Rockland County man is facing criminal charges and thousands of dollars in fines after illegally dumping blacktop in a vacant lot on Route 59 in Airmont. Officers from the Ramapo Police Department were dispatched to the vacant lot shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, where there was a report of a man illegally dumping refuse in the area. Officials said that upon arrival, officers observed a 40-year-old man from Haverstraw - whose name was not available - who was operating a 2010 Kenworth Dump Truck and dumping black top onto the property without permission from the property owner.…