July 9, 2010

Two Erie men face environmental crimes charges in connection with illegal dumping of paint thinner

Dennis Boyer

George Boyd

HARRISBURG - Agents from the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section have filed criminal charges against two Erie men for allegedly  dumping three 55-gallon drums of paint thinner behind a residence in Vernon Township.

Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Dennis Boyer, 71, 8831 Old French Road, Erie, and George Boyd, 64, 1207 W. 6th St., Erie.

Corbett said that the previous occupant of a garage owned by Boyer left behind two full 55-gallon drums and one partially full drum of waste paint thinner.  Boyer allegedly paid Boyd $75 to remove the drums. 

According to the complaint, Boyd did not have a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection to transport or dispose of the waste.

 Corbett said that Boyd allegedly took the paint thinner to the residence in Vernon Township, used a pick to poke holes in the drums and simply allowed the waste to flow onto the ground.

"Our environmental laws were created to protect our residents, our communities and our natural resources," Corbett said.  "This careless act caused about $25,000 worth of damage to the property."

Boyd is charged with one count of criminal mischief, a third-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.  He is also charged with three counts of unlawful conduct, each a third-degree misdemeanor carrying maximum penalties of one year in prison and fines of $25,000 per day.

Boyer is charged with three counts of unlawful conduct, each a third-degree misdemeanor carrying maximum penalties of one year in prison and fines of $25,000 per day.

The charges were filed before Crawford County Magisterial District Judge A. Michael Rossie, Jr. The case will be prosecuted in
Crawford County by Deputy Attorney General Amy Carnicella of the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section.

Corbett thanked the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for their assistance with this investigation.

 

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

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