Multiple Felony Littering Arrests For Illegal Dumping: Police

WIMAUMA, FL — Three men who dumped furniture and trash at two Hillsborough County sites last month face felony charges for littering, a police news release said.

On July 7, a witness watched two suspects, Jessie Howard, 26, and Allyn Morrison, 36, illegally dump furniture and other items near a dumpster that was nearly filled with trash. Police said they unloaded the items from a trailer their truck pulled.

A property manager confronted the suspects as they watched this happen in the area of West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Parson Avenue in Seffner, officials said.

As the suspects drove away, 174 cubic feet of debris fell to the ground behind them.

Officers went to the location and watched video surveillance of the incident, and this helped them identify the suspects.

Deputies arrested Howard and Morrison on charges of felony littering.

"Any amount over 100 cubic feet dumped is considered a felony here in the state of Florida," said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release. "I want to thank our Environmental Enforcement Unit for their diligence in identifying and locating these individuals who are illegally dumping on or near roadways in Hillsborough County."

Two days after the incident in Seffner, authorities made another arrest for illegally dumping in Wimauma.

A suspect was seen by a witness on July 9, at the intersection of Edina Street and Aley Street illegally dumping furniture and other items from his truck.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Environmental Enforcement Unit identified the suspect as Carlton Williams, 59.

Officials said Williams illegally dumped 506 cubic feet of materials.

Authorities arrested him on felony littering charges.

There are several locations in Hillsborough County where residents can dispose of appliances and other items they no longer need or want:

• Northwest County Landfill, 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa
• Southeast County Landfill, 15960 C.R. 672, Lithia
• Northwest County Landfill8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa
• 13000 U.S. Hwy. 41, Gibsonton
• 350 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa

In addition to these locations, there are community collection centers around the county which can be used by residents for disposal. For more information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.